sufficient that for the present I prefer to remain Mr.
Brooks, and to lead my own life."

"But--you won't be offended, but I want to understand. The thing seems
such a muddle to me. You've given up your practice--how do you mean to
live?"

"There is an income which comes to me from the Manor of Kingston,"
Brooks answered, "settled on the eldest sons of the Arranmore peerage,
with which my father has nothing to do. This alone is comparative
wealth, and there are accumulations also."

"It don't seem natural," Mr. Bullsom said. "If you'll excuse my saying
so, it don't sound like common-sense. You can live on what terms you
please with your father, but you ought to let people know who you are.
Great Scott," he added, with a little chuckle, "what will Julia and the
girls say?

"You will understand, Mr. Bullsom," Brooks said, hastily, "that I trust
you to preserve my confidence in this matter. I have told you because
I wanted you to understand why I could not accept this invitation to
contest the borough, also because you were one of my best friends when I
was here. But you are the only person to whom I have told my secret."

Mr. Bullsom sighed. It would have been such a delightful disclosure.

"As you wish, of course," he said. "But my it don't seem possible!
Lord Arranmore's son--the Marquis of Arranmore! Gee whiz!"

"Some day, of course," Brooks said, "it must come out. But I don't want
it to be yet awhile. If that clock is right hadn't I better be going
up-stairs?"

Mr. Bullsom nodded.

"If you'll come with me," he said, "I'll show you your room."

CHAPTER IX

GHOSTS

Brooks, relieved that his explanation with Mr. Bullsom was over, was
sufficiently entertaining at dinner-time. He sat between Selina and
Louise, and made himself agreeable to both. Mr. Bullsom for half the
time was curiously abstracted, and for the remainder almost boisterous.
Every now and then he found himself staring at Brooks as though at some
natural curiosity. His behaviour was so singular that Selina commented
upon it.

"One would think, papa, that you and Mr. Brooks had been quarrelling,"
she remarked, tartly. "You seem quite odd to-night."

Mr. Bullsom raised his glass. He had lately improved his cellar.

"Drink your health, Brooks," he said, looking towards him. "We had an
interesting chat, but we didn't get quarrelling, did we?"

"Nor are we ever likely to," Brooks answered, smiling. "You know, Miss
Bullsom, your father wa