e traces
of a family resemblance to his brother; he had something of the same
features, something, although very little, of the same free and powerful
carriage; but he was older, smaller, and more common in air; his
likeness was that of a caricature, and he seemed altogether a poor and
debile being by the side of the Dictator.

They spoke in tones so low, leaning over the table with every appearance
of interest, that Francis could catch no more than a word or two on an
occasion. For as little as he heard, he was convinced that the
conversation turned upon himself and his own career; several times the
name of Scrymgeour reached his ear, for it was easy to distinguish and
still more frequently he fancied he could distinguish the name Francis.

At length the General, as if in a hot anger, broke forth into several
violent exclamations.

"Francis Vandeleur!" he cried, accentuating the last word. "Francis
Vandeleur, I tell you."

The Dictator made a movement of his whole body, half affirmative, half
contemptuous, but his answer was inaudible to the young man.

Was he the Francis Vandeleur in question? he wondered. Were they
discussing the name under which he was to be married? Or was the whole
affair a dream and a delusion of his own conceit and self-absorption?

After another interval of inaudible talk, dissension seemed again to
rise between the couple underneath the chestnut, and again the General
raised his voice angrily so as to be audible to Francis.

"My wife?" he cried. "I have done with my wife for good. I will not hear
her name. I am sick of her very name."

And he swore aloud and beat the table with his fist.

The Dictator appeared, by his gestures, to pacify him after a paternal
fashion; and a little after he conducted him to the garden gate. The
pair shook hands affectionately enough; but as soon as the door had
closed behind his visitor, John Vandeleur fell into a fit of laughter
which sounded unkindly and even devilish in the ears of Francis
Scrymgeour.

So another day had passed, and little more learnt. But the young man
remembered that the morrow was Tuesday, and promised himself some
curious discoveries; all might be well, or all might be ill; he was
sure, at least, to glean some curious information, and perhaps, by good
luck, get at the heart of the mystery which surrounded his father and
his family.

As the hour of the dinner drew near many preparations were made in the
garden of the house wi