e position, as you said,' Mr. Wythan remarked, not
proffering an opinion of it more than was expressed by a hearty, rosy
countenance, that had to win its way with the earl before excuse was
found for the venturesome repetition of his phrase.

Cantering back to that home of the loves of Gower Woodseer and Madge
Winch, the thought of his first act of penance done, without his feeling
the poorer for it, reconciled Fleetwood to the aspect of the hollow
place.

He could not stay beneath the roof. His task of breakfasting done,
he was off before the morning's delivery of letters, riding round the
country under Croridge, soon up there again. And Henrietta might be
at home, he was reminded by hearing band-music as he followed the
directions to the house named Stoneridge. The band consisted of
eight wind instruments; they played astonishingly well for itinerant
musicians. By curious chance, they were playing a selection from the
Pirata; presently he heard the notes to 'il mio tradito amor.' They had
hit upon Henrietta's favourite piece!

At the close of it he dismounted, flung the reins to his groom, and,
addressing a compliment to the leader, was deferentially saluted with a
'my lord.' Henrietta stood at the window, a servant held the door open
for him to enter; he went in, and the beautiful young woman welcomed
him: 'Oh, my dear lord, you have given me such true delight! How very
generous of you!' He protested ignorance. She had seen him speak to
the conductor and receive the patron's homage; and who but he knew her
adored of operas, or would have had the benevolent impulse to think of
solacing her exile from music in the manner so sure of her taste! She
was at her loveliest: her features were one sweet bloom, as of the sunny
flower garden; and, touched to the heart by the music and the kindness,
she looked the look that kisses; innocently, he felt, feeling himself on
the same good ground while he could own he admired the honey creature,
much as an amateur may admire one of the pictures belonging to the
nation.

'And you have come...?' she said. 'We are to believe in happy endings?'

He shrugged, as the modest man should, who says:

'If it depends on me'; but the words were firmly spoken and could be
credited.

'Janey is with her brother down at Lekkatts. Things are at a deadlock.
A spice of danger, enough to relieve the dulness; and where there is
danger Janey's at home.' Henrietta mimicked her Janey. 'Parades with he