‘The Abbey!’ said Cadurcis, in a tone of curiosity.  ’Why did you not show him in?’

‘Your lordship said you were not at home to anybody.’

’Idiot!  Is this anybody?  Of course I would have seen him.  What the devil do I keep you for, sir?  You seem to me to have lost your head.’

Mr. Spalding retired.

‘The Abbey! that is droll,’ said Cadurcis.  ’I owe some duties to the poor Abbey.  I should not like to quit England, and leave anybody in trouble at the Abbey.  I wish I had seen the lad.  Some son of a tenant who has written to me, and I have never opened his letters.  I am sorry.’

In a few minutes Mr. Spalding again entered the room.  ’The young lad has called again, my lord.  He says he thinks your lordship has come to town, and he wishes to see your lordship very much.’

‘Bring lights and show him up.  Show him up first.’

Accordingly, a country lad was ushered into the room, although it was so dusky that Cadurcis could only observe his figure standing at the door.

‘Well, my good fellow,’ said Cadurcis; ’what do you want?  Are you in any trouble?’

The boy hesitated.

’Speak out, my good fellow; do not be alarmed.  If I can serve you, or any one at the Abbey, I will do it.’

Here Mr. Spalding entered with the lights.  The lad held a cotton handkerchief to his face; he appeared to be weeping; all that was seen of his head were his locks of red hair.  He seemed a country lad, dressed in a long green coat with silver buttons, and he twirled in his disengaged hand a peasant’s white hat.

‘That will do, Spalding,’ said Lord Cadurcis.  ’Leave the room.  Now, my good fellow, my time is precious; but speak out, and do not be afraid.’

‘Cadurcis!’ said the lad in a sweet and trembling voice.

‘Gertrude, by G—­d!’ exclaimed Lord Cadurcis, starting.  ’What infernal masquerade is this?’

‘Is it a greater disguise than I have to bear every hour of my life?’ exclaimed Lady Monteagle, advancing.  ’Have I not to bear a smiling face with a breaking heart?’

‘By Jove! a scene,’ exclaimed Cadurcis in a piteous tone.

‘A scene!’ exclaimed Lady Monteagle, bursting into a flood of indignant tears.  ’Is this the way the expression of my feelings is ever to be stigmatised?  Barbarous man!’

Cadurcis stood with his back to the fireplace, with his lips compressed, and his hands under his coat-tails.  He was resolved that nothing should induce him to utter a word.  He looked the picture of dogged indifference.

‘I know where you have been,’ continued Lady Monteagle.  ’You have been to Richmond; you have been with Miss Herbert.  Yes!  I know all.  I am a victim, but I will not be a dupe.  Yorkshire indeed!  Paltry coward!’

Cadurcis hummed an air.