m a
scamp and shifty; but I delighted in him, because he played the banjo
quite excellently, and was so useful at parish entertainments. Michael
took him abroad; but had to dismiss him on landing. He wrote and told me
the fact, but gave no reasons. Poor Walker! I do not wish him punished,
because I know Michael would think it was largely my own fault for
putting banjo-playing before character. If Walker had written me a
begging letter, I should most likely have sent him the money. I have a
fatal habit of believing in people, and of wanting everybody to be
happy."

Then, as if these last words recalled a momentarily forgotten wound, the
stony apathy returned to voice and face.

"If Michael is not coming back," said Lady Ingleby, "I am indeed alone."

The doctor rose, and stood looking down upon her, perplexed and
sorrowful.

"Is there not some one who should be told immediately of this change of
affairs, Lady Ingleby?" he asked, gravely.

"No one," she replied, emphatically. "There is nobody whom it concerns
intimately, excepting myself. And not many know of the arrival of
yesterday's news. I wrote to Jane, and I suppose the boys told it at
Overdene. If by any chance it gets into the papers, we must send a
contradiction; but no explanation, please. I dislike the publication of
wrong doing. It only leads to imitation and repetition. Beside, even a
poor worm of a valet should be shielded if possible from public
execration. We could not explain the extenuating circumstances."

"I do not suppose the news has become widely known," said the doctor.
"Your household heard it, of course?"

"Yes," replied Lady Ingleby. "Ah, that reminds me, I must stop operations
in the shrubbery and plantation. There is no object in little Peter
having a grave, when his master has none."

This was absolutely unintelligible to the doctor; but at such times he
never asked unnecessary questions, for his own enlightenment.

"So after all, Sir Deryck," added Lady Ingleby, "Peter was right."

"Yes," said the doctor, "little Peter was not mistaken."

"Had I remembered him, I might have doubted the telegram," remarked Lady
Ingleby. "What can have aroused Billy's suspicions?"

"Like Peter," said the doctor, "Billy had, from the first, felt very
sure. Do not mention to him that I told you the doubts originated with
him. He is a sensitive lad, and the whole thing has greatly distressed
him."

"Dear Billy," said Lady Ingleby.

The doctor gl