Thanks, Lady Belgrade.

I will follow your advice.

There is another reason why I should do so, but with which you are not acquainted.
In the absorption of my thoughts with the subject of our Salome, I totally forgot to tell you that I have just been subpoenaed as a witness for the crown, in the approaching trial of John Potts and Rose Cameron for the murder of Sir Lemuel Levison.

The case will come on at the Assizes at Banff on Thursday next.

I must leave for Scotland to-morrow," said the young duke.
"Why--you surprise me very much! When was the subpoena served upon you ?" inquired the dowager.
"In a chance recounter at the police-office, where I went to find the detective, and where I also found a sheriff's officer holding a subpoena for me, which he was about to send across the channel by a special messenger--supposing me to be in Paris.