AMPTON ST. MARY,
"'_December 14, 18--._

"'DEAR FORRESTER: This evening I have been surprised by a visit
from a man named----'

"Here I paused and inquired the messenger's name, which I had, for the
moment, forgotten.

"'Honore de Silva,' he replied.

"'----from a man named Honore de Silva, who has handed me a
packet for which he desires this letter shall be a receipt. I
have endeavoured to elicit your address from him, but on this
point he is adamant. Is it kind to an old friend to let him
hear from you, but at the same time to refuse to permit him to
communicate with you? Why all this mystery? If you are in
trouble, who would so gladly share it with you as your old
friend? If you need help, who would so willingly give it? Are
the years during which we have known each other to count for
nothing? Trust me, and I think you are aware that I will not
abuse your confidence.

"Your affectionate friend,

"'WILLIAM BETFORD.'

"Having blotted it, I placed the letter in an envelope, directed it to
Cyril Forrester, Esq., and handed it to De Silva, who placed it
carefully in an inner pocket and rose to take leave of me.

"'Will nothing induce you to reveal your employer's present place of
residence?' I said. 'I assure you I am most anxious to prove his
friend.'

"'I can easily believe that,' he answered. 'He has often spoken of you
in terms of the warmest affection. If you could hear him, I am sure you
would have no doubt on that score.'

"I was much affected, as you may imagine, on hearing this, and his
assertion emboldened me to risk yet another question.

"'Upon one point, at least, you can set my mind at rest,' I said. 'Is
Mr. Forrester happy?'

"'He is a man who has done with happiness such as you mean, and will
never know it again,' he answered solemnly.

"'My poor old friend,' I said, half to myself and half to him. And then
added, 'Is there no way in which I can help him?'

"'None,' De Silva replied. 'But I can tell you no more, so I beg you
will not ask me.'

"'But you can surely answer one other question,' I continued, this time
with what was almost a note of supplication in my voice. 'You can tell
me whether, in your opinion, we, his friends, will see him again, or if
he intends to spend the remainder of his life in exile?'

"'That I can safely answer. No! You will never see him again. He will
not return to this country