set out on his mission, their best wishes for his success following him.

Sir Arthur pondered as he went over what he should say, and how he would
meet the remarks he deemed it likely she would make to him. Without
being in the least what is called a person of superior abilities, Mrs.
Butler was a somewhat hard-headed woman, whose North of Ireland caution
and shrewdness stood her in stead for higher qualities; and if they
would not have guided her in great difficulties, she had the good
fortune or the prudence to escape from such. He knew this; and he
knew besides that there pertains to a position of diminished means and
station a peculiar species of touchy pride, always suggesting to its
possessor the suspicion that this or that liberty would never have been
taken in happier days, and thus to regard the most well-meant counsels
and delicately conveyed advice as uncalled-for interference, or worse.

It was after much consideration he saw himself at the little wicket of
the garden, where he dismounted, and, fastening his bridle to the gate,
knocked at the door. Though he could distinctly hear the sound of voices
within, and the quick movement of feet, his summons was unanswered, and
he was about to repeat it for the third time when the door was opened.

"Is your mistress at home, Jeanie?" said he, recognizing with a smile
the girl's courtesy to him.

"Yes, sir, she's at home," was the dry answer.

"Will you just tell her, then, that Sir Arthur Lyle would take it as a
great favor if she'd permit him to speak to her?"

The girl disappeared with the message, but did not return again for
several minutes; and when she did, she looked slightly agitated. "My
mistress is very sorry, sir, but she canna see ye the day; it's a sort
of a headache she has."

"Mr. Anthony, is he at home?" asked he, curious to remark the effect of
his question.

"He's no just at name the noo," was the cautious reply.

"He has not been up at the Abbey to-day," said he, carelessly; "but, to
be sure, I came through the 'bracken,' and might have missed him."

A little dry nod of the head, to acknowledge that this or anything else
was possible, was all that his speech elicited.

"Say that I was very sorry, Jeanie, that Mrs. Butler could not see me,
and sorrier for the reason; but that I hope tomorrow or next day to be
more fortunate. Not," added he, after a second thought, "that what I
wanted to speak of is important, except to myself; don't for