n came into Miss Ericson's garden with a countenance
that beamed with more than usual benignity. But the benignity was, as it
were, blended with an air of unwonted wonder and exhilaration which
consorted somewhat strangely with the wonted calm of the excellent
gentleman's demeanour. He had a large letter in his hand, which he kept
flourishing almost as wildly as if he were an enthusiastic spectator at
a racecourse, or a passenger outward bound waving a last good-night to
his native land.

It happened to be one of the days when the Dictator had come up from the
strenuous London, and from playing his own strenuous part therein. He
was sitting with Miss Ericson in the garden, as he had sat there on the
first day of his return--that day which now seemed so long ago and so
far away--almost as long ago and as far away as the old days in Gloria
themselves. He was telling her all that had happened during the days
that had elapsed since their last meeting. He spoke, as he always did
now, much of the Langleys, and as he spoke of them Miss Ericson's grave,
kind eyes watched his face closely, but seemed to read nothing in its
unchanged composure. As they were in the middle of their confidential
talk, the French windows of the little drawing-room opened, and Mr.
Sarrasin made his appearance--a light-garmented vision of pleasurably
excited good-humour.

'What _has_ happened to our dear old friend?' Ericson asked the old lady
as Sarrasin came beaming across the grass towards them, fluttering his
letter. 'He seems to be quite excited.'

Miss Ericson laughed as she rose to greet her friend. 'You may be sure
we shall not long be left in doubt,' she said, as she advanced with
hands extended.

Mr. Sarrasin caught both her hands and pressed them warmly. 'I have such
news,' he murmured, 'such wonderful news!' Then he turned his smiling
face in the direction of the Dictator. 'Good-day, Mr. Ericson; wonderful
news! And it concerns _you_ too, in a measure; only in a measure,
indeed, but still in a measure.'

The Dictator's face expressed a smiling interest. He had really grown
quite fond of this sweet-tempered, cheery, childlike old gentleman. Miss
Ericson drew Sarrasin to a seat opposite to her own, and sat down again
with an air of curiosity which suggested that she and her nephew were
waiting for the wonderful news. As she had predicted, they had not long
to wait. Mr. Sarrasin having plunged into the subject on the moment of
his arriva