a time,
for we do not in any way consider that the post is one commensurate with
your abilities. It will, however, serve to give you practical experience
of administration, and us the advantage of your great talents to an even
larger extent than we now enjoy. For the future, it must of course take
care of itself; but, as you know, Sir ----'s health is not all that
could be desired, and the other day he told me that it was doubtful if
he would be able to carry on the duties of the Attorney-Generalship for
very much longer. In view of this contingency I venture to suggest that
you would do well to apply for silk as soon as possible. I have spoken
to the Lord Chancellor about it, and he says that there will be no
difficulty, as although you have only been in active practice for so
short a while, you have a good many years' standing as a barrister. Or
if this prospect does not please doubtless some other opening to the
Cabinet can be found in time. The fact is, that we cannot in our own
interest overlook you for long."

Geoffrey smiled again as he finished this letter. Who could have
believed a year ago that he would have been to-day in a position to
receive such an epistle from the Prime Minister of England? Ah, here was
the luck of the Drowned One's shoe with a vengeance. And what was it all
worth to him now?

He put the letter in his pocket with the telegram and looked out. They
were turning into Bolton Street. How was little Effie, he wondered? The
child seemed all that was left him to care for. If anything happened to
her--bah, he would not think of it!

He was there now. "How is Miss Effie?" he asked of the servant who
opened the door. At that moment his attention was attracted by the dim
forms of two people, a man and a woman, who were standing not far from
the area gate, the man with his arm round the woman's waist. Suddenly
the woman appeared to catch sight of the cab and retired swiftly down
the area. It crossed his mind that her figure was very like that of
Anne, the French nurse.

"Miss Effie is doing nicely, sir, I'm told," answered the man.

Geoffrey breathed more freely. "Where is her ladyship?" he asked. "In
Effie's room?"

"No, sir," answered the man, "her ladyship has gone to a ball. She left
this note for you in case you should come in."

He took the note from the hall table and opened it.

"Dear Geoffrey," it ran, "Effie is so much better that I have made up my
mind to go to the duchess's ball