ght say, though 'tis true I never was in London or in
England until now."

The speech, given with all respectfulness, did not fail of flattery.
Again the order to drive on remained unspoken. This speaker, whose foot
was now close to the carriage step, and whose head, gravely bowed as he
saluted the occupants of the vehicle, presented so striking a type of
manly attractiveness, even that first moment cast some spell upon the
woman whom he sought to interest. The eyes of the Lady Catharine Knollys
did not turn from him. As though it were another person, she heard
herself murmur, "And you, sir?"

"I am John Law of Lauriston, Scotland, Madam, and entirely at your
service. That is my brother Will, yonder by the bank." He smiled, and
the younger man came forward, hesitatingly, and not with the address of
his brother, though yet with the breeding of a gentleman.

The eyes of Mary Connynge took in both men with the same look, but her
eyes, as did those of the Lady Catharine, became most concerned with the
first speaker.

"My brother and I are on our first journey to London," continued he,
with a gay laugh which did not consort fully with the plight in which he
showed. "We started by coach, as gentlemen; and now we come on foot,
like laborers or thieves. 'Twas my own fault. Yesterday I must needs
quit the Edinboro' stage. Last night our chaise was stopped, and we were
asked to hand our money to a pair of evil fellows who had made prey of
us. In short--you see--we fared ill enough. Lost in the dark, we made
what shift we could along this road, where we both are strangers. At
last, not able to pay for better quarters even had we found them, we lay
down to sleep. I have slept far worse. And 'tis a lovely morning. Madam,
I thank you for this happy beginning of the day."

Mary Connynge pointed to the bandage on the younger man's arm, speaking
a low word to her companion.

"True," said the Lady Catharine, "you are injured, sir; you did not come
off whole."

"Oh, we would hardly suffer the fellows to rob us without making some
argument over it," said the first speaker. "Indeed, I think we are the
better off hereabouts for a brace of footpads gone to their account. I
made them my duties as we came away. Will, here, was pricked a trifle,
but you see we have done very well."

The face of Will Law hardly offered complete proof of this assertion. He
had slept ill enough, and in the morning light his face showed gaunt and
pale. Her