"Come with me, and I'll take you to see my patient." "But what do you think of it all ?" said Denzil, eager for some comment.
"I'll tell you that," rejoined Jorce, "when you have heard the story of Mr.Vrain." In a few minutes Lucian was led by his guide into a pleasant room, with French windows opening on to a wide verandah, and a sunny lawn set round with flowers.

Books were arranged on shelves round the walls, newspapers and magazines were on the table, and near the window, in a comfortable chair, sat an old man with a volume in his hand.

As Jorce entered he stood up and shuffled forward with a senile smile of delight.
Evidently--and with reason, poor soul--he considered the doctor his very good friend.
"Well, well!" said the cheery Jorce, "and how are you to-day, Mr.
Vrain ?" "I feel very well," replied Vrain in a soft, weak voice.

"Who is this, Doctor ?" "A young friend of mine, Mr.Vrain.He wishes to hear your story." "Alas! alas!" sighed Vrain, his eyes filling with tears, "a sad story, sir." The father of Diana was of middle height, with white hair, and a long white beard which swept his chest.

On his cheek Lucian saw the cicatrice of which Diana had spoken, and mainly by which the dead man had been falsely identified as Vrain.