"my lord wished to see me, but I
have lost my way."

"I will show it you," she answered, and rising came to him.

She led him along the winding narrow passage, pointed out to him the
door of his lordship's sitting-room, and turned away--again, Donal
could not help thinking, with a look as of some anxiety about him.

He knocked, and the voice of the earl bade him enter.

His lordship was in his dressing-gown, on a couch of faded satin of a
gold colour, against which his pale yellow face looked cadaverous.

"Good morning, Mr. Grant," he said. "I am glad to see you better!"

"I thank you, my lord," returned Donal. "I have to make an apology. I
cannot understand how it was, except, perhaps, that, being so little
accustomed to strong drink,--"

"There is not the smallest occasion to say a word," interrupted his
lordship. "You did not once forget yourself, or cease to behave like a
gentleman!"

"Your lordship is very kind. Still I cannot help being sorry. I shall
take good care in the future."

"It might be as well," conceded the earl, "to set yourself a
limit--necessarily in your case a narrow one.--Some constitutions are
so immediately responsive!" he added in a murmur. "The least exhibition
of--!--But a man like you, Mr. Grant," he went on aloud, "will always
know to take care of himself!"

"Sometimes, apparently, when it is too late!" rejoined Donal. "But I
must not annoy your lordship with any further expression of my regret!"

"Will you dine with me to-night?" said the earl. "I am lonely now.
Sometimes, for months together, I feel no need of a companion: my books
and pictures content me. All at once a longing for society will seize
me, and that longing my health will not permit me to indulge. I am not
by nature unsociable--much the contrary. You may wonder I do not admit
my own family more freely; but my wretched health makes me shrink from
loud voices and abrupt motions."

"But lady Arctura!" thought Donal. "Your lordship will find me a poor
substitute, I fear," he said, "for the society you would like. But I am
at your lordship's service."

He could not help turning with a moment's longing and regret to his
tower-nest and the company of his books and thoughts; but he did not
feel that he had a choice.

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE SECOND DINNER WITH THE EARL.

He went as before, conducted by the butler, and formally announced. To
his surprise, with the earl was lady Arctura. His lordship made him
giv