CHAPTER IX.
"My dear Mr.Meredith, "I cannot tell you how unhappy and humiliated I feel that my little joke with you should have had such an uncomfortable ending.

As you know, and as I have given you proof, I have the greatest admiration in the world for one whose work for humanity has won such universal recognition.
"I hope that we shall both forget this unhappy morning and that you will give me an opportunity of rendering to you in person, the apologies which are due to you.

I feel that anything less will neither rehabilitate me in your esteem, nor secure for me the remnants of my shattered self-respect.
"I am hoping you will dine with me next week and meet a most interesting man, George Gathercole, who has just returned from Patagonia,--I only received his letter this morning-- having made most remarkable discoveries concerning that country.
"I feel sure that you are large enough minded and too much a man of the world to allow my foolish fit of temper to disturb a relationship which I have always hoped would be mutually pleasant.

If you will allow Gathercole, who will be unconscious of the part he is playing, to act as peacemaker between yourself and myself, I shall feel that his trip, which has cost me a large sum of money, will not have been wasted.
"I am, dear Mr.Meredith, "Yours very sincerely, "REMINGTON KARA." Kara folded the letter and inserted it in its envelope.

He rang a bell on his table and the girl who had so filled T.X.with a sense of awe came from an adjoining room.
"You will see that this is delivered, Miss Holland." She inclined her head and stood waiting.