Adrien Leroy

To the astonishment of every one in Barminster Castle, some few hours

later, Mr. Vermont reappeared.

In his turn he seemed quite as surprised when he learned that Leroy had

already returned to London.

"Gone," he echoed, "just a few hours ago? Dear! dear! I must have missed

him by telling my chauffeur to take the road across the moor."

He entered the Castle while he was speaking, and the servants hastened

to learn his commands; for, next to the sun, there is nothing better

than the moon--next to the Hon. Adrien came his friend and agent, Mr.

Jasper Vermont. But Jasper waved them amiably aside, as he entered the

dining-room.

"You would like some luncheon, sir?" inquired the butler, coming forward

respectfully.

Jasper nodded.

"Just a snack, Judson. Don't put yourselves out for me, I'm off again

directly."

While the estimable Judson went off to get this snack--which resolved

itself into an exquisitely-laid lunch--Mr. Vermont dropped into a chair,

and surveyed the scene through the open window. Strange to say, his

thoughts seemed to run similarly to those of Lady Constance, earlier in

the day; for he exclaimed under his breath: "It's a large stake, worth playing for. Awkward my missing him." He

smoothed out a pile of deeds and documents and replaced them in his

leather bag. "He would have signed these without a word here; at his

chambers, he'll amuse himself by reading them, confound it!"

A rustle of silken skirts attracted his attention; the scowl vanished,

and he readjusted his smiling mask as the door opened and Lady Constance

entered the room.

She had been informed of his sudden arrival; and, though heartily

disliking him, she was yet bound to play the part of hostess while her

aunt was resting.

Mr. Vermont bowed low over her extended hand, as over that of an

empress.

"I hope your ladyship is well?" he asked.

"Quite, thank you, Mr. Vermont," she said with cold indifference. "I

suppose you have come down to see Adrien? He started for London before

breakfast this very morning."

"So I have just heard," he returned sweetly.

"I am not greatly surprised, as Lady Merivale was asking after him last

night. I expect she summoned him."

The girl's face paled ever so slightly, though she strove to give no

sign that his shaft had hit home. Adrien had received a letter that

morning, as she knew, one having been brought up to her by mistake.

"Very likely," she said imperturbably. "I daresay he had to attend to

some business too."