CHAPTER XVII.
LOVE FINDS A WAY Less than three weeks later, Harold Mainwaring entered Miss Carleton's private drawing-room in Mr.Thornton's London home.
Soon after her arrival in the city she had received from him a brief note of apology, stating that unexpected business of the greatest importance would render it impossible for him to call as early as he had anticipated; hence this was their first meeting since the leave-taking on board the "Campania." As Miss Carleton stepped forward with cordial smile and hand extended to welcome her visitor, she was shocked at the change in his appearance.

He was pale, almost haggard, and deep lines about the mouth and eyes told of some intense mental strain.

She gave a low cry of astonishment, for it seemed as though years, instead of only a few weeks, had intervened since she had seen that face.
"Mr.Mainwaring, you have been ill!" she exclaimed.
"No, Miss Carleton," he replied, his face lighting with a rare smile; "I have been perfectly well, but loss of sleep and constant care and anxiety have told rather severely on me.

Nothing more serious, I assure you." "Anxiety!" she repeated, at the same time motioning him to a seat by her side.

"Surely you do not anticipate any difficulty in establishing your claim ?" "No difficulty so far as its validity is concerned.