even I can detect only covers a deep knowledge of life and the world. The dread of her husband seems, however, to pervade all she says or does. She changes colour when he looks at her, and if he addresses her, she sometimes seems about to faint. His slightest word is accepted as a command; and yet with all this terror-terror it was I caught a look that once passed between them that actually overwhelmed me with amazement. It was the very look that two accomplices might have interchanged in a moment when they could not communicate more freely. Don't think that there is any exaggeration in this, Lucy, or that I am as suming to possess a finer insight into human motives than my neighbours; but my old craft as a doctor supplies me with a technical skill that no acquaintance with the mere surface life of the world could have given; for the Medico reads mankind by a stronger and steadier light than ever shone out of conventionalities or social usages. "We are on our way to England, to Ireland perhaps,' he said to me, in a careless way; but she, not aware of his speech, told me they had been invited to the Priorya piece of information which I own startled me. First of all, they are not by any means like people who would be agreeable to my father, nor, so far as I can guess, are they persons who would easily sacrifice their own inodes of life and habits to the wishes of a recluse. Least of all, dearest Lucy, do I desire this lady to be your companion. She has, I see, many attractive qualities; she may have others as good and excellent; but if I do not greatly err, her whole. nature and being are in subjection to a very stern, cold, and unscrupulous man, and she is far from being all that she should be with such gifts as she possesses, and farther again from what she might have been with a happier destiny in marriage. "If it were not that you are so certain to meet, and not improbably see much of these people, I should not have filled so much of my letter with them; but I confess to you, since I saw them they have never been out of my thoughts. Our relationship-if that be the name for it — led us rapidly into considerable intimacy; he brought his children -two lovely girls, and a little cherub of a boy of three years old to see me yesterday, and Ms. Sewell comes to take me to drive every day after luncheon. She expresses the most ardent desire to meet you, and says she knows you will love each other. She carried off your picture t'other day, and I was in real terror till I got it back again. She seemed in ecstasy on being told "I am certain that Sewell is neither a good nor a safe companion for a young fellow so bashful and unsuspecting as Lionel Trafford. "There are men who read the world the way certain dishonest critics quote a book or an article, by extracting all that is objectionable, and, omitting context and connection, place passage after passage in quick sequence. By such a process as this, human life is a pandemonium. I half suspect Sewell to be one of this scornful school; and if so, a most dangerous intimate. The heartfelt racy enjoyment of his manner, as he records some trait of rascality or fraud, is not more marked than the contemptuous sneer with which he receives a story that bears testimony to generosity or trustfulness, throwing over his air in each that tone of knowledge of life and the world that seems to say, 'These are the things we all of us know well, though only a few have either the manliness or the honesty to declare them openly.' "I may have tired you with this long tirade, my dear Lucy, but I am pouring out to you my thoughts as they comecome, too, out of the fulness of much reflection. Remember, too, my sweet child, that I have often told you, 'It is just some halfdozen people with whom we are intimate, who make or mar our fate in life.' Big as the world is, we play a very small game in one corner of the board, and it behooves us to look well to those with whom we are to play it. "If I am jealous of the Sewells for having robbed me of my young friend, I am envious of himself also, for he is going back to England-going back to the loved faces and scenes he has left-going back to home. There's the word, Lucy, that gathers all that we come to live for, when life really is a blessing. "It would seem too early to pronounce, but I think I can already see this is not a place to which I would like to bring you; but I will not prejudge it. It may be that time will reconcile me to some things I now dislike; it may be, too, that the presence of my own around me will dispose me to take a cheerier view of much that now depresses me. I have a great deal to do, I am employed during the whole day, and never really free till evening, when society claims me. This letter is my only severe burden. You can imagine me daily dining qut, and fancy the martyrdom it costs me. "I am most anxous to hear of you, and how you like your new life-I mean, how you bear it. Liking is not the word for that which entails separation. I feel assured that you will love my father. You will be generous towards those traits which the host of mere acquaintanceship took pleasure in exaggerating, and you will be fair enough not to misjudge his great qualities because of certain faults of temper. He has great gifts, Lucy; and, as you will see, the two pendulums of his nature, heart and head, swing together, and he is as noble in sentiment as he is grand in action. "It almost consoles me for separation when I think that I have transferred to him the blessings of that presence that made my own sunshine. Mind that you send me a diary of your life. I want your whole day; I want to see how existence is filled, so that whenever my mind flies back to you I may say, She is in her garden she is working -she is at her music-she is reading to him.' "It was a mistake to send me here, Lucy. There are men in scores who would rejoice in the opportunities of such a place, and see in it the road to rapid fortune. I only look at one feature of it—the banishment. Not that by nature I am discontented-I hope and believe this is not so- but I feel that there are many things in life far worse than poverty. I have not the same dread of narrow means most men have. I do not sink down in spirits when I lie down under a very humble roof, and sit down to a coarse meal; nor has splendour the power to exhilarate or elevate me. I am essentially humble, and I need nothing that is not generally within the reach of the humble; and I vow to you in all truth, I'd rather be your grandfather's gardener than be the governor of this great colony. There's an ignoble confession, but keep it for yourself. "I have written a long letter to Tom by this post, and addressed it to Mr. Dempster, who will forward it if he should have left before this. It distresses me greatly when I think that I have not been able to give him any definite career in life before we parted. Mere aptitude has no value with the world. You may be willing and ready to do fifty things, but some fourth-rate fellow who knows how to do one will beat you. The marketable quality in life is skill; the thing least in request is genius. Tom has this harsh lesson yet to learn, but learn it he must, for the world is a schoolmaster that will stand no skulking, and however little to our taste be its tasks, we must come up when called on, and go on with our lesson as well as we may. 66 In many respects Sir Brook Fossbrooke was an unfortunate companion for him to have chanced upon. A man of considerable resources, who had employed them all unprofitably, is a bad pilot. The very waywardness of such a nature was exactly the quality to be avoided in Tom's case; but what was to be done? Poverty can no more select its company than its climate; and it would have been worse than ungracious to have rejected a friendship so generously and freely offered. I am curious- I am more than curious, I am anxious- to know if Tom should have ever met my father. They are so intensely alike in many things, that I fear me their meeting could not lead to good. I know well that Tom resents, and would like to show that he resents, what he deems the harsh treatment evinced towards me, and I dread anything like interchange of words between them. My whole hope is, that you would prevent such a mischance, or, if it did occur, would take measures to obviate its dangers. "Tell me particularly about this when you write. Tell me also, have you met Lady Lendrick, and if so, on what terms? I have ever found her obliging and good-natured, and with many qualities which the world has not given her credit for. Give her my most respectful regards when you see her. "It is daybreak; the hot sun of Africa is already glancing into the room, and I must conclude. I cannot bear to think of the miles these lines must travel ere they meet you, but they will be with you at last. and they are in this more fortunate than your loving father, 'T. LENDRICK." Lucy sat long pondering over this letter. She read it, too, again and again, and by a light which was certainly not vouchsafed to him who wrote it. To her there was no mystery in Trafford's conduct. It was plain enough he had gone out, expecting to find her as his fellow-passenger. His despair his wretchedness - - his devotion to her father, the last resource of that disappointment he could not subdue - were all intelligible enough. Less easy, however, to read the sudden attachment he had formed for the Sewells. What did this mean? Had it any meaning? and if so, was it one that concerned her to know? CHAPTER XIX. OFFICIAD MYSTERIES. "I THINK I had better see him myself," said Fossbrooke, after patiently listening to Tom Lendrick's account of his meeting with his grandfather. "It is possible I may be able to smooth down matters a little, and dispose the old gentleman, besides, to accord us some aid in our Sardinian project, for I have resolved upon that, Tom." "Indeed, sir; the gold mine?" "No, the lead-the lead and silver. In the rough calculation I made last night on this slip of paper, I see my way to something like seven thousand a-year to begin with; untold wealth will follow. There are no less than eleven products available the black lead of pencils and the white used by painters being the chief; while in my new salt, which I am disposed to call the pyro-chloride of plumbium,' we have a sedative that will allay the pangs of hydrophobia." "I wish it would quiet the Chief Baron," muttered Tom; and Sir Brook, not hearing him correctly, continued, "I think so I think the Chief Baron eminently calculated to take a proper estimate of my discovery. A man of fine intellect is ever ready to accept truth, albeit it come in a shape and through a channel in which he has himself not pursued it. Will you write a line to your sister and ask if it would be his lordship's convenience to receive me, and at what time?" "Of course, sir, whatever you wish," said Tom, in some confusion; "but might I ask if it be your intention to ask my grandfather to aid me with his purse?' "Naturally. I mean that he should, by advancing, let us say, eight hundred pounds, put you in a position to achieve a speedy fortune. He shall see, too, that our first care has been your sister's interests. Sixsixteenths of the profits for fifty years are to be hers; three each we reserve for ourselves; the remaining four will form a reserve fund for casualties, a capital for future development, and a sum at interest to pay superannuations, with some other objects that you will find roughly jotted down here, for which, however, they will amply suffice. I take it his lordship knows something of metallurgy, Tom. "I believe he knows a little of everything." Chemistry I feel sure he must have studied." "I won't answer for the study; but you'll find that when you come to talk with him, you'll scarcely wander very far out of his geography. But I was going to say, sir, that I am not quite easy at the thought of asking him for money.' I "It's not money at least, it's no giftwe require of him. We are in possession of a scheme certain to secure a fortune. We know where a treasure lies hid, and we want no more than the cost of the journey to go and fetch it. He shall be more than repaid. The very dispositions we make in your sister's favour will show him in what spirit we mean to deal. It is possible am willing to own it it is possible I might approach a man of inferior intelligence with distrust and fear, but in coming before Baron Lendrick I have no misgivings. All my experience of life has shown me that the able men are the generous men. In the ample stretch of their minds they estimate mankind by larger averages, and thus they come to see that there is plenty of good in human nature." "I believe the old judge is clever enough, and some speak very well of his character; but his temper-his temper is something that would swallow up all the fine qualities that ever were accorded to one man; and even if you were about to go on a mission I liked better, I'd say, Don't ask to see him, don't expose yourself to the risk of some outrageous affront—something you couldn't bear and wouldn't resent." "I have never yet found myself in the predicament you speak of," said Sir Brook, drawing himself up haughtily, 66 nor do I know of any contingency in life from which I could retreat on account of its perils. It may be, indeed it is more than likely, from what you tell me, that I shall make no appeal to your grandfather's generosity; but I shall see him, to tender your regrets for any pain you may have caused him, and to tell also so much of our future intentions as it is becoming the head of your house should hear. I also desire to see your sister, and say good-bye." ed all right to that condition of equality which renders intercourse agreeable. "I must have something for this young fellow-something that may enable him to offer his sister a home if she should need it. I will accept nothing for myself-on that I am determined. It is a sorry part that of suppliant, but so long as it is for another it is endurable. Not that I like it, though not that it sits easy on me and I am too old to acquire a new manner." Thus muttering to himself, he went along till he found himself at the chief entrance of the Castle. "Ask her to let me do so too. I can't go away without seeing her again." Tom took a turn or two up and down the room as "You will have to wait on Mr. Balfour, though he had not made up his mind wheth- sir, his Excellency's private secretary, the er to say something or not. He looked out second door from the corner," said the porof the window, possibly in search of some- ter, scarcely deigning a glance at one so thing to distract his thoughts, and then evidently unversed in viceregal observturning suddenly about, he said, "I was ances. Sir Brook nodded and withdrew. thinking, sir, that if it was your opinion From a groom who was holding a neat-lookmind I don't want to insinuate that it ought ing cob pony Fossbrooke learned that Mr. to be, or even that it is my own but that Balfour was about to take his morning's ride. if you came to the conclusion that my sister" He'll not see you now," said the man. was not happy with my grandfather-that "You'll have to come back about four or halfher life was one of depression and suffering past." -what would you say to her coming along with us?" "To Sardinia! Coming to Sardinia, do you mean, Tom?" said the old man in astonishment. "I have only a question to ask," said Sir Brooke, half to himself, as he ascended the stairs. As he gained the landing and rang, the door opened, and Mr. Balfour appeared. "I regret to detain you, sir," began Sir Brook, as he courteously raised his hat. Mr. Balfour, I believe." "Yes, sir, that is what I meant." "Have I not told you the sort of life" that lies before us in the island — the hardships, the dangers, the bitter privations we shall have to endure? Is it to these we can invite a young girl, trained and accustomed to every elegance and every comfort?" "She'd not shrink from her share that much I'll warrant you; and the worst roughing of that rugged life would be easier to bear than this old man's humour." - "No, no; it must not be thought of," said Fossbrooke, sternly. "What meaning has our enterprise if it be not to secure her future fortune? She cannot - she shall not -pay any part of the price. Let me think over this, Tom. It may be that we ought not to leave her; it may be that we should hit upon something nearer home. I will go up to the Castle and see the Viceroy." He made a light grimace as he said this. Such a visit was by no means to his taste. If there was anything totally repugnant to his nature, it was to approach men whom he had known as friends or intimates, with anything like the request for a favour. It seemed to him to invert all the relations which ought to subsist between men in society. The moment you had stooped to such a step, in his estimation you had forfeit "You are right as to my name, but quite as wrong if you fancy that you will detain me," said that plump and very self-satisfied gentleman, as he moved forward. “And yet, sir, such is my intention," said Sir Brook, placing himself directly in front of him. "That is a matter very soon settled," said Balfour, returning to the door and calling out "Pollard, step down to the lower yard and send a policeman here." Sir Brook heard the order unmoved in manner, and even made way for the servant to pass down the stairs. No sooner, however, was the man out of hearing, than he said, "It would be much better, sir, not to render either of us ridiculous. I am Sir Brook Fosbrooke, and I come here to learn at what time it would be his Excellency's pleasure to receive me." The calm quiet dignity in which he spoke, even more than the words, had its effect on Balfour, who with more awkwardness than he would like to have owned, asked Sir Brook to walk in and be seated. "I have had a message for you from his Excellency these three or four days back, and knew not where to find you." "Did it never occur to you to try what assistance the police might afford, sir?" said he, with deep gravity. "One thinks of these generally as a last resource," said Balfour, coolly, and possibly not sorry to show how imperturbable he could be under a sarcasm. "And now for the message, sir," said Fossbrooke. "I'll be shot if I remember it. Wasn't it something about an election riot? You thrashed a priest named Malcahy, eh?" “I opine not, sir,” said Sir Brooke, with a faint smile. "No, no; you are the great man for acclimatization; you want to make the ornithorhynchus as common as the turkey. Am I right?" Sir Brook shook his head. "I never have my head clear out of office hours, that's the fact," said Balfour, impatiently. If you had called on me between twelve and three, you'd have found me like a directory." "Put no strain upon your recollection, sir. When I see the Viceroy it is probable he will repeat the message." "You know him, then?" "I have known him eight-and-forty years." 66 Oh, I have it-I remember it all now. You used to be with Colonel Hanger, and Hugh Seymour, and O'Kelly, and all the Carlton House lot." Fossbrooke bowed a cold assent. and he died there, and we didn't know when he died at least they suspect he signed some dozen life-certificates that his doctor used to forward at quarter-day. Mind I don't give you the story as mine; but the impression is, that he held the office for eight years after his death." 66 Perhaps, sir, you would now favour me with the name and nature of the appointment." "He was called the Deputy-Assistant Sub something of somewhere in Exchequer; and he had to fill, or to register, or to put a seal, or, if not a seal, a stamp, on some papers; but the marrow of the matter is, he bad eight hundred a-year for it; and when the Act passed requiring two seals, he asked for an increase of salary and an assistant clerk, and they gave him two hundred more, but they refused the clerk. They do such shabby things in those short sittings over the Estimates!" "And am I to understand that his Excellency makes me an offer of this appointment?" "Well, not exactly; there's a hitch in it -I may say there are two hitches: first of all, we're not sure it's in our gift; and, secondly". "Perhaps I may spare you the secondly -the 'firstly 'is more than enough for me.' Yes, but I'd like to explain. Here's how it is the Chief Baron claimed the patronage about twenty years ago, and we "His Excellency told us the other even- made, or the people who were in power ing that there was not a man in England made, some sort of a compromise about an who had so many stories of the Prince. ultimate nomination, and he was to have Didn't Moore go to you about his life of the first. Now his man only died t'other Sheridan? - yes, of course - and you day, having held the office, as I said, uppromised him some very valuable docu- wards of twenty years a most unconscionments; and sent him five-and-twenty pro-able thing-just one of those selfish acts tested bills of poor Brinsley's, labelled 'indubitable records."" "This does not lead us to the message, sir," said Fossbrooke, stiffly. "Yes, but it does though-I'm coming to it. I have a system of artificial memory, and I have just arrived at you now through Carlton House, milk-punch, and that story about Lord Grey and yourself riding postilions to Ascot, and you on the wheelers tipping up Grey with your whip till he grew frantic. Wasn't that a fact? "I wait for the message, sir; or rather I grow impatient at not hearing it." "I remember it perfectly. It's a place he wants to offer you; it's a something under the Courts of Law. You are to do next to nothing-nothing at all, I believe, if you prefer it, as the last fellow did. He lived in Dresden for the education of his children, small official fellows are always doing; and so I thought, as I saw your name down for something on his Excellency's list, that I'd mention you for the post, as a sort of sop to Baron Lendrick, saying, 'Look at our man; we are not going to saddle the country with one of your long-annuity fellows he's eighty if he's a day. I say, I'd press this point, because the old judge says he is no longer bound by the terms of the compromise, for that the office was abolished and reconstructed by the 58th of Victoria, and that he now insists on the undivided patronage." I presume that the astute reasons which induced you to think of me have not been communicated to the Viceroy." "I should think not. I mention them to you frankly, because his Excellency said you were one of those men who must be dealt |