But his cool, impassive manner gave no clue to his feelings, and at this stage of the proceedings Malcolm was not to be enlightened.

They parted in the friendliest manner.

"Good luck to you, Mr.Herrick," he said cordially; "don't forget my straight tip." Mrs.Godfrey walked with Malcolm to the station.

She wanted a few last words, she said, and her mankind had had their innings.
"There is one thing you must do, if Cedric refuses to listen to reason," she said very seriously to him; "you must go down to Staplegrove and tell his sisters every-thing." "I suppose I must," he returned; but he spoke under his breath, for this new duty filled him with dismay.

He had shaken off the dust of Staplegrove, as he believed, for ever, and the thought that he must stand face to face with Elizabeth again turned him giddy.