ng
how sad it was that all those precious diamonds should have been lost
for ever. "Very sad indeed," said Frank with his mouth full. She then
went on to the marriage,--the marriage that was no marriage. Was not
that very dreadful? Was it true that Miss Roanoke was really--out of
her mind? Frank acknowledged that it was dreadful, but thought that
the marriage had it been completed would have been more so. As for
the young lady, he only knew that she had been taken somewhere out of
the way. Sir Griffin, he had been told, had gone to Japan.

"To Japan!" said Miss Macnulty, really interested. Had Sir Griffin
gone no further than Boulogne, her pleasure in the news would
certainly have been much less. Then she asked some single question
about Lord George, and from that came to the real marrow of her
anxiety. Had Mr. Greystock lately seen the--the Rev. Mr. Emilius?
Frank had not seen the clergyman, and could only say of him that had
Lucinda Roanoke and Sir Griffin Tewett been made one, the knot would
have been tied by Mr. Emilius.

"Would it indeed? Did you not think Mr. Emilius very clever when you
met him down here?"

"I don't doubt but what he is a sharp sort of fellow."

"Oh, Mr. Greystock, I don't think that that's the word for him at
all. He did promise me when he was here that he would write to
me occasionally, but I suppose that the increasing duties of his
position have rendered that impossible." Frank, who had no idea of
the extent of the preacher's ambition, assured Miss Macnulty that
among his multifarious clerical labours it was out of the question
that Mr. Emilius should find time to write letters.

Frank had consented to stay one day at Portray, and did not now like
to run away without again seeing his cousin. Though much tempted to
go at once, he did stay the day, and had an opportunity of speaking
a few words to Mr. Gowran. Mr. Gowran was very gracious, but said
nothing of his journey up to London. He asked various questions
concerning her "leddyship's" appearance at the police-court, as to
which tidings had already reached Ayrshire, and pretended to be
greatly shocked at the loss of the diamonds. "When they talk o' ten
thoosand poond, that's a lee, nae doobt?" asked Andy.

"No lie at all, I believe," said Greystock.

"And her leddyship wad tak' aboot wi' her ten thoosand poond--in a
box?" Andy still showed much doubt by the angry glance of his eye
and the close compression of his lips, and the great