he rest of your life."

"Better as it is," was the cheerful reply. "I should have been heartily
sick of the business by now."

"There's no knowing. So you marry Miss Mumbray? An excellent choice, I
have no doubt. Hearty congratulations!--Oh, by-the-bye, Jacobs &
Burrows have a capital Greuze--do look in if you are passing."

Glazzard perceived clearly enough that the lawyer regarded this
marriage just as Quarrier did, the _pisaller_ of a disappointed and
embarrassed man. There was no more interest in his career; he had sunk
finally into the commonplace.

At three o'clock he was at home again, and without occupation. The
calendar on his writing-table reminded him that it was Thursday. After
all, he might as well respond to the friendly invitation of last
evening, and say good-bye to his stately acquaintances in Grosvenor
Square. He paid a little attention to costume, and presently went forth.

In this drawing-room he had been wont to shine with the double radiance
of artist and critic. Here he had talked pictures with the fashionable
painters of the day; music with men and women of resonant name. The
accomplished hostess was ever ready with that smile she bestowed only
upon a few favourites, and her daughter--well, he had misunderstood,
and so came to grief one evening of mid-season. A rebuff, the gentlest
possible, but leaving no scintilla of hope. At the end of the same
season she gave her hand to Sir Something Somebody, the diplomatist.

And to-day the hostess was as kind as ever, smiled quite in the old
way, held his hand a moment longer than was necessary. A dozen callers
were in the room, he had no opportunity for private speech, and went
away without having mentioned the step he was about to take. Better so;
he might have spoken indiscreetly, unbecomingly, in a tone which would
only have surprised and shocked that gracious lady.

He reached his rooms again with brain and heart in fiery tumult. Serena
Mumbray!--he was tempted to put an end to his life in some brutal
fashion, such as suited with his debasement.

Another letter had arrived during his absence. An hour passed before he
saw it, but when his eye at length fell on the envelope he was roused
to attention. He took out a sheet of blue note-paper, covered with
large, clerkly writing.

"DEAR SIR,

"We have at length been able to trace the person concerning whom you
are in communication with us. He is at present living in Bristol, and
we think is