The Mating of Lydia

stance, and walked independently-save for his stick-into his sitting-room. Th

nded, according to various fresh hints and indications, to make him another and a more serious offer for his gems-no

d his head, his eyes following the misty course of the river, and

ch it gave him to circles, learned or wealthy, which had been else closed to him; the distinction attaching thereby to his otherwise obscure name in catalogues and monographs, English or foreign. So long as he possessed the "Mackworth gems" he was, in the eyes of the world of connoisseurs, at any rate, a personage. Without them he was a personage nowhere. Every month, every week, almost, he was beginning to receive requests to be allowed to see and study them, or appeals to lend them for exhibition. In the four months since his uncle's death, both the Louvre and the Berlin Museum had approached him, offering to exhibit them, and hinting that the loan might lead, should he so desire it,

ector had set his heart upon them. And no doubt this business of the newly furnished rooms, and all the luxuries that had been given or promised, made it more difficu

e which had been oddly renovated for his convenience. His uncle's death had left him singularly forlorn, deprived of the only home he had ever possessed, and the only person who felt for him a close and spontaneous affection. Fo

nd circumstance, making an excuse out of meeting the Ransoms-mere acquaintances-at Liverpool; and determined, after the short tour

es, such as he, Faversham, might strive for all his days and never come near. It might be said of course-Herbert Ransom would probably say it-that all men are worth the wages they get; with an obvious deduction in his own case. But when or where had he ever got his chance-a real chance? Visions of the rich men among his acquaintance, sleek, half-breed financiers, idle, con

*

ce, he frankly admitted it; but he must also

*

se wa

e a passionate renewal of desire-desire for happiness and success. The figure of Lydia Penfold hovered perpetually in his mind. Marriage!-his whole being, moral

voice behind him, "but all

his host, the mental and p

am"-his laugh showed his ner

the table, and offered one to his guest. He lit and smoked in s

ing the last few weeks that you have at the pres

apt in Faversha

asons. But if you mean to imply by that, that I am

kind. I merely wished, so to speak, to

dded. Melros

, and suggest to him another. I should expect to be sent to the devil-and serve me right. But in your case-correct me if I am

t. Melrose in his skullcap, sitting sideways in his chair, his cigarette held aloft, presented a profile which migh

y rate was my frame of mind up to a few weeks ago. I don't apologize for it in the least. Every man has a right to his own idiosyncrasies. But I confess that your society during the last few weeks-I am in no mood for mere compliment-has had a considerable effect upon me. It has revealed to me that I am no longer so young as I was, or so capable-apparently-of ente

tain

The impression he made was that of one re

e through with these ideas that are now about us like the plague; that every child imbibes from our abominable press!-that our fools of clergy-our bishops even-are not ashamed to preach. There is precious little sense of property, and not a single rag of loyalty or respect left in this country! But when you think of the creatures that rule us-and the fanatics who preach to us-and the fools who bring up our children, what else can you expect! The whole state is rotten! The men in our great towns are ripe for any revolutionary villainy. We shall come to blood, Faversham!"-he struck his hand violently on the arm of his chair-"and then a dictator-the inevi

on Faversham. The young man was mainly conscious of a half-hysterical inclinati

t I have accumulated. There are rooms here-containing masterpieces-unique treasures-that have never been opened for years-whose contents I have myself forgotten. That's why people call me a madman. Why? What did I want with a big establishment eating up my income?-with a lot of prying idiots from outside-museum bores, bothering me for loans-common tour

with sharp, slow scru

-my extraordinary collections-have been the nuts-and I, the squirrel. But now the nuts are bur

ersham, leaning hard on a marquet

ement of my estates, and be my lieutenant in the arrangement of my collections. I wish-as I have said-to unpack this house; and I should like to leave my property in order before I die. Which reminds me, I should of course be pe

earness the various impressions made by it-incredulous or amused astonishment-bewilderme

ur agent-the agent for

le stole him from me-bribed him by higher pay. Since then I have had

about land-I have

t want any cocksure fellow, with brand-new ideas l

-I should not be cont

id Paversham, a momenta

ho are better as princip

hould be in h

here are my solicitors both in Carlisle and Pengarth. For the rest, you are a lawyer, and there are some litigations pending. Your legal knowledge would be of considerable service. If you are the clever fellow I take you for, a month or two's hard work, the usu

hing was too astounding. At last he said: "You are not prepared, sir, yo

of the two, under the peculiar circumstances, the market o

ect me to live

ooms are not disa

. If I did this thing, sir, I should

ouse. "There are rooms enough. But you will want some place, I imagine, where you can

him more Ogre

res

elf wholly to the organization of the collections, inside the house, and to the work of the estate, outside it

e ideas of that kind,"

ling vivacity in the eyes, showed the effect produced by the conversation. But he had kept his head through

sir, to give an immediate

in moderation," said Melrose, d

a few things that I on my

them-("To-morrow, if it pleases you!" said Melrose, jovially)-passing on to the general circumstances of the estates, and the nature of the pending litigations. The questions were put wit

f them his c

on," he said with a rather sour smile.

flattering-so generous," said Faversham, not without emotion; "and for all

to speak-then muttered something hardly in

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es. The radical alteration in his habits and outlook which the preceding six weeks had produced, the excitement of unpacking the treasures now displayed in the gallery, the constant thinkings and plannings connected with Faversham and the future, and, lastly, the interview just concluded, had tried his strength. Certain symptoms-symptoms of

n the part of an older person-then a wail-and silence. Melrose had risen to his feet with an exclamation. Some pecu

at moment which he did not mean to answer-the first he had received for many years. If he once allowed a correspondence to grow up-with that individual-on the subject of money, there would be no end to it; it would spread and spread, till his freedom was once more endangered. He did not int

o a heap of sale catalogues lying near him, and after going through them, he rose, and as though drawn

tory attaching to each one of them, every detail of which he knew; in the sense of their uniqueness. Nothing like them of their kind, anywhere; and

ding their owner to entertain the notion of selling them. It pleased him to guess at what had been probabl

prompt departure of the enriched Faversham. But he wanted both Faversham and the gems; as much as possible-that is, for his money. The thought of returning to his

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the extraordinary proposal that had been made to him, to his possession of the gems, and to Melrose's desire to beguile

chances for the future; for Melrose's financial interest and influence were immense. If not free to marry immediately, he would certainly be fr

ther change in the household, came in to announce that a motor had come from Carlisle, that M

s first excursion i

the scented summer air, feeling his

ose clear and high above the moist h

ad he tapped the chauffeur on the s

ld's, sir?

far i

say about

ere, p

in concealing; the physical excitement of change and movement, of this reentry up

aid-servant said she thought Mrs. Penfold was in

age, and the drawing-room door was thrown open for him. A young lady was sittin

be kind. Lydia placed him in the best chair, in front of the best view, ordered tea, and hovered round him with an eager benevolence. H

in of the morning had left the air chilly, and a wood fire burnt on the hearth. Its pleasant flame gave an added touch of intimity to the little drawing-room, with its wild flowers, its books, its water-colours, and its modest furnishings. After the

oidery dropp

he repeated, in wonder.

generous terms.

e in his eyes was not easy to ignore. But she

iserable, neglected proper

ul in her face. Something

k it so n

m! He's chairman of some commi

ight Tatham? Suppose that turn

can't! He's too splendi

he model youth," s

on. "He is the kindest, dearest fellow! I agree-it's provoking not to be able to sniff at

ove. Lydia, however, quickly left the subject, and returned to his own affairs. Nothing, he confessed, could have been friendlier or sincerer than her interest in them. The

ge!-can

gerly, driving her needle into the

ham la

lready warned me I am not to man

Lydia, indignantly-"that's all we w

my employer

this shall be the neutral ground. You shall m

get through much business?" His dark eyes, full

should have the

ingly to go. Lydia be

ere comes

wishing of skirts. Some one came laughing to the drawing-room and th

ou ever know su

h flowers, and with par

rrying two great pot

you like. And Lord Tatham has sent flowers. Just look at those roses!" Mrs. Penfold put down the basket heaped with them at Lydia's feet, while Susy-demurely-

wers all about her, and the drawings in her hands. Faversham escaped as soon as he could. As he approach

said. "Be su

s stood out in consciousness: first, that he was falling fast and deep in love; next, that-by the look of things-he

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