ghbouring covers at once. A genial squire, with more weight than
wit, more realty than weight, and more personalty than realty
(considering the circumstances), would be best for you. You might
make a position for us both by some such alliance; for, to tell the
truth, I have had but in-and-out luck so far. I shall be with you in
little more than a fortnight, when we will talk over the matter
seriously, if you don't object.--Your affectionate brother,

LOUIS.'

It was this allusion to her brother's coming visit which had caught her
eye in the tower staircase, and led to a modification in the wedding
arrangement.

Having read the letter through once Lady Constantine flung it aside with
an impatient little stamp that shook the decaying old floor and casement.
Its contents produced perturbation, misgiving, but not retreat. The deep
glow of enchantment shed by the idea of a private union with her
beautiful young lover killed the pale light of cold reasoning from an
indifferently good relative.

'Oh, no,' she murmured, as she sat, covering her face with her hand. 'Not
for wealth untold could I give him up now!'

No argument, short of Apollo in person from the clouds, would have
influenced her. She made her preparations for departure as if nothing
had intervened.

XVII

In her days of prosperity Lady Constantine had often gone to the city of
Bath, either frivolously, for shopping purposes, or musico-religiously,
to attend choir festivals in the abbey; so there was nothing surprising
in her reverting to an old practice. That the journey might appear to be
of a somewhat similar nature she took with her the servant who had been
accustomed to accompany her on former occasions, though the woman, having
now left her service, and settled in the village as the wife of Anthony
Green, with a young child on her hands, could with some difficulty leave
home. Lady Constantine overcame the anxious mother's scruples by
providing that young Green should be well cared for; and knowing that she
could count upon this woman's fidelity, if upon anybody's, in case of an
accident (for it was chiefly Lady Constantine's exertions that had made
an honest wife of Mrs. Green), she departed for a fortnight's absence.

The next day found mistress and maid settled in lodgings in an old plum-
coloured brick street, which a hundred years ago could boast of rank and
fashion among its residents, though now the broad fan