perhaps she had
undertaken this responsibility rashly. It is rather a ticklish matter to
tamper unbidden with locks.

So confident was she that old Mrs. Picture would forgive her anything,
that she made no scruple of examining and reading whatever was visible.
There was little beyond pens and writing-paper in the drawer, but in a
desk which formed part of the table were some warrants held by the old
lady as a life-annuitant, and two or three packets of letters, one
carefully tied and apparently of considerable age. There was also a
packet marked "Hair," and a small cardboard box. Little enough to take
charge of, and soon made into a neat parcel by Mrs. Burr for Gwen to
carry away in her reticule, a receptacle which in those days was almost
invariably a portion of every lady's paraphernalia, high and low, rich
and poor.

The desk opened with the drawer--or rather unrolled itself--a flexible
wood-flap running back when it was opened, and releasing a lid that made
one-half of the writing-pad when turned back. The letters were under the
other half, the old packet being in a small drawer with the parcel
marked "Hair." These were evidently precious. Never mind! Gwen would
keep them safe.

Dave and Dolly were so delighted with the performance of opening and
shutting the drawer, and seeing the cylindrical sheath slip backwards
and forwards in its grooves, that they could scarcely drag themselves
away to accompany their Lady to the carriage that, it appeared, was
waiting for her in the beyond, outside Sapps Court.

CHAPTER XI

AN INTERVIEW AT THE TOP OF A HOUSE IN PARK LANE. THE COLOSSEUM.
PACTOLUS. KENSINGTON, AS NINEVEH. DERRY'S. TOMS'S. HELEN OF TROY.
THE PELLEWS. RECONSIDERATION, AND JILTING. GWEN'S LOVE OF METHOD,
AND HOW SHE WOULD GO TO VIENNA. A STARTLING LETTER. HOW HER FATHER
READ IT ALOUD. MRS. THRALE'S REPORT OF A BRAIN CASE. HER DOG. HOW
REASON REELED BEFORE THE OLD LADY'S ACCURACIES. GWEN'S GREAT-AUNT
EILEEN AND THE LORD CHANCELLOR. HOW THE EARL STRUCK THE SCENT. HIS
BIG EBONY CABINET. MR. NORBURY'S STORY. HOW AN EARL CAN DO A MEAN
ACTION, WITH A GOOD MOTIVE. THE FORGED LETTER SEES THE LIGHT. HOW
THE COUNTESS WOKE UP, AND THE EARL GOT TO BED AT LAST

When the Earl and Countess came to Park Lane, especially if their visit
was a short one, and unless it was supposed to be known to themselves
and their Maker only, they were on their _P_'s and _Q_'s. Why