might look in upon me, as Wildred had
suggested, and therefore spent what remained of the evening after my
return to town at the hotel. But he did not come, and shortly after
midnight I threw down the book in which I had been able to retain no
great interest, and went to bed.

It was ridiculously early when I woke, and my first conscious thought
was a joyous one, that now only one day intervened between me and the
call I promised myself to make at Lady Tressidy's.

I had endeavoured to explain to my own satisfaction the presence of a
portrait which I believed to represent Miss Cunningham at the House by
the Lock. There were many ways in which it might have found a place
there, without betokening any great intimacy between the original of the
picture and Carson Wildred. It might have been an Academy success which
he had purchased; it might be even that the resemblance was merely one
of chance.

Still, try as I might to settle the doubts which, no matter how often
discarded, invariably came crowding back to my brain, I was already far
too deeply plunged into love to remember with calmness my glimpse of the
canvas under the drapery.

Of course it would be impossible for me to refer to it in talking with
Lady Tressidy or Miss Cunningham, if I were lucky enough to see them on
Sunday; but in some indirect way I might be able to induce one of them
to mention it. I could refer to my visit to the House by the Lock
perhaps, touching lightly upon my impression of the striking decorations
in the studio, or smoking-room, and then, if there were nothing to
conceal, and Miss Cunningham were aware that Mr. Wildred possessed her
portrait, it would be very natural that a word or two in regard to it
might pass her lips.

As I was on my way down to breakfast a little after ten, I met one of
the bell boys with a telegram, which he had been on the way to bring to
my door.

It was a long and elaborate message, and glancing down to the end of the
seven or eight lines I read Farnham's name. I then went back to the
beginning again.

"So sorry not to have seen you yesterday," the words ran. "Wildred has
come to town, bringing my luggage, on receipt of a wire from me saying I
have just heard of important financial business calling me to America at
once. Has told me of your visit. Very vexed can't keep engagement with
you to-night, and that this must after all be farewell, as am leaving
immediately for Southampton by boat train. Good-bye a