e trees and found you lying there, unconscious. I made some
attempt to stop the blood-flow, then picked you up; it seemed better,
on the whole, than leaving you on the wet grass an indefinite time. Your
overcoat was on the ground; as I took hold of it, two letters fell
from the pocket. I made no scruple about reading the addresses, and was
astonished to find that one was to Mrs. Eldon, at Wanley Manor, Wanley
being the place where I was about to live on my return to England. I
took it for granted that you were Mrs. Eldon's son. The other letter, as
you know, was to a lady at a hotel in the town.'

Hubert nodded.

'And you went to her as soon as you left me?'

'After hearing from the doctor that there was no immediate danger.--The
letters, I suppose, would have announced your death?'

Hubert again inclined his head. The imperturbable gravity of the
speaker had the effect of imposing self-command on the young man; whose
sensitive cheeks showed what was going on within.

'Will you tell me of your interview with her?' he asked.

'It was of the briefest; my French is not fluent.'

'But she speaks English well.'

'Probably her distress led her to give preference to her native tongue.
She was anxious to go to you immediately, and I told her where you lay.
I made inquiries next day, and found that she was still giving you
her care. As you were doing well, and I had to be moving homewards, I
thought it better to leave without seeing you again. The innkeeper had
directions to telegraph to me if there was a change for the worse.'

'My pocket-book saved me,' remarked Hubert, touching his side.

Mr. Wyvern drew in his lips.

'Came between that ready-stamped letter and Wanley Manor,' was his
comment.

There was a brief silence.

'You allow me a question?' the vicar resumed. 'It is with reference to
the French lady.'

'I think you have every right to question me.'

'Oh no! It does not concern the events prior to your--accident.' Mr.
Wyvern savoured the word. 'How long did she remain in attendance upon
you?'

'A short time--two day--I did not need--'

Mr. Wyvern motioned with his hand, kindly.

'Then I was not mistaken,' he said, averting his eyes for the first
time, 'in thinking that I saw her in Paris.'

'In Paris?' Hubert repeated, with a poor affectation of indifference.

'I made a short stay before crossing. I had business at a bank one
day; as I stood before the counter a gentleman entered and took a plac