resembled Sir Blount strongly; but he was a stranger.

'How can I reward you!' she exclaimed, when he had done.

'In no way but by giving me your good wishes in what I am going to tell
you on my own account.' He spoke in tones of mysterious exultation.
'This parcel is going to make my fame!'

'What is it?'

'A huge object-glass for the great telescope I am so busy about! Such a
magnificent aid to science has never entered this county before, you may
depend.'

He produced from under his arm the carefully cuddled-up package, which
was in shape a round flat disk, like a dinner-plate, tied in paper.

Proceeding to explain his plans to her more fully, he walked with her
towards the door by which she had emerged. It was a little side wicket
through a wall dividing the open park from the garden terraces. Here for
a moment he placed his valise and parcel on the coping of the stone
balustrade, till he had bidden her farewell. Then he turned, and in
laying hold of his bag by the dim light pushed the parcel over the
parapet. It fell smash upon the paved walk ten or a dozen feet beneath.

'Oh, good heavens!' he cried in anguish.

'What?'

'My object-glass broken!'

'Is it of much value?'

'It cost all I possess!'

He ran round by the steps to the lower lawn, Lady Constantine following,
as he continued, 'It is a magnificent eight-inch first quality object
lens! I took advantage of my journey to London to get it! I have been
six weeks making the tube of milled board; and as I had not enough money
by twelve pounds for the lens, I borrowed it of my grandmother out of her
last annuity payment. What can be, can be done!'

'Perhaps it is not broken.'

He felt on the ground, found the parcel, and shook it. A clicking noise
issued from inside. Swithin smote his forehead with his hand, and walked
up and down like a mad fellow.

'My telescope! I have waited nine months for this lens. Now the
possibility of setting up a really powerful instrument is over! It is
too cruel--how could it happen! . . . Lady Constantine, I am ashamed of
myself,--before you. Oh, but, Lady Constantine, if you only knew what it
is to a person engaged in science to have the means of clinching a theory
snatched away at the last moment! It is I against the world; and when
the world has accidents on its side in addition to its natural strength,
what chance for me!'

The young astronomer leant against the wall, and was silent. His mis