up in his
bed, and struck a light to make sure that there were no red patches on
him. With daylight he grew calmer. The wild visions vanished, but the
cold facts remained: he was sunk in his own esteem, he had forced
himself into an evil secret which was no concern of his, and now he must
keep it for ever.

Westray found Lady Blandamer in the breakfast-room. Lord Blandamer had
met her in the hall on her return the night before, and though he was
pale, she knew before he had spoken half a dozen words, that the cloud
of anxiety which had hung heavily on him for the last few days was past.
He told her that Mr Westray had come over on business, and, in view of
the storm that was raging, had been persuaded to remain for the night.
The architect had brought with him a picture which he had accidentally
come across, a portrait of the old Lord Blandamer which had been missing
for many years from Fording. It was very satisfactory that it had been
recovered; they were under a great obligation to Mr Westray for the
trouble which he had taken in the matter.

In the events of the preceding days Westray had almost forgotten Lady
Blandamer's existence, and since the discovery of the picture, if her
image presented itself to his mind, it had been as that of a deeply
wronged and suffering woman. But this morning she appeared with a look
of radiant content that amazed him, and made him shudder as he thought
how near he had been only a day before to plunging her into the abyss.
The more careful nurture of the year that had passed since her marriage,
had added softness to her face and figure, without detracting from the
refinement of expression that had always marked her. He knew that she
was in her own place, and wondered now that the distinction of her
manner had not led him sooner to the truth of her birth. She looked
pleased to meet him, and shook hands with a frank smile that
acknowledged their former relations, without any trace of embarrassment.
It seemed incredible that she should ever have brought him up his meals
and letters.

She made a polite reference to his having restored to them an
interesting family picture, and finding him unexpectedly embarrassed,
changed the subject by asking him what he thought of her own portrait.

"I think you must have seen it yesterday," she went on, as he appeared
not to understand. "It has only just come home, and is standing on the
floor in the long gallery."

Lord Blandamer glanced