ere acquaintances,
rushed at once to the conclusion that he must be Caffarelli. I conclude
that the interview was not made more intelligible to either party by
being carried on in French; but the invitation so frankly given was
as freely accepted. The stranger came, dined, and was here in the
drawing-room when we came back."

"This is unpardonable. Who is he? What is he?"

"He is a gentleman. I believe, as well born as either of us. I know
something--not much--about him, but there are circumstances which, in a
manner, prevent me from talking of him. He came down to this part of the
world to see me, though I never intended it should have been here."

"Then his intrusion here was not sanctioned by you?"

"No. It was all your father's doing."

"My father's doing, if you like, Maitland, but concurred in and abetted
by this man, whoever he is."

"I 'll not even say that; he assures me that he accepted the invitation
in the belief that the arrangement was made by me."

"And you accept that explanation?"

"Of course I do. I see nothing in it in the smallest degree improbable
or unlikely."

"Well, who is he? That is the main point; for it is clear you do not
wish us to receive him as a friend of yours."

"I say I 'd not have presented him here, certainly; but I 'll not go the
length of saying he could n't have been known by any one in this house.
He is one of those adventurous fellows whose lives must not be read with
the same glasses as those of quieter people. He has knocked about the
world for some five-and-twenty years, without apparently having found
his corner in it yet. I wanted him,--what for, I shall probably tell you
one of these days,--and some friends of mine found him out for me!"

"One of your mysteries, Maitland," said Mark, laughing.

"Yes, 'one of my mysteries!"

"Of what nation is he?"

"There, again, I must balk your curiosity. The fact is, Mark, I can
explain nothing about this man without going into matters which I am
solemnly bound not to reveal. What I have to ask from you is that
you will explain to your father, and of course to Lady Lyle and your
sisters, the mistake that has occurred, and request that they will keep
it a secret. He has already gone, so that your guests will probably not
discuss him after a day or two."

"Not even so much, for there's a break-up. Old Mrs. Maxwell has suddenly
discovered that her birthday will fall on next Friday, and she insists
upon going back to Til