He is tremendously pleased with his importance at this particular time, and he is just the sort of man--as we both know--to be delighted at being called back to preside over an affair which is usually a matter for old women." But the letter he had examined, as it lay with the rest awaiting postal, he had taken charge of himself.

He knew that one, at least, would not reach Lord Walderhurst.

Having heard in time of the broken bridge-rail, he had been astute enough to guess that the letter written immediately after the incident might convey such impressions as might lead even his lordship to feel that it would be well for him to be at home.

The woman had been frightened, and would be sure to lose her head and play the fool.

In a few days she would calm down and the affair would assume smaller proportions.