r to the window, and, glancing
at the faintly-sketched coronet on time back, turned it over and broke
the seal.

"ST. JAMES'S HOUSE, LONDON.

"Thursday.

"MY DEAR BROOKS,

"I have read with an amusement which I am sure you will not fail to
share, the shower of condemnation, approval, and remonstrance which by
your doings in Stepney you appear to have brought down upon your head.
The religious element especially, you seem to have set by the ears. I
sat within hearing of our premier bishop last night at dinner, and his
speculations with regard to you and your ultimate aims were so amusing
that I passed without noticing it my favourite entree.

"You will have observed that it is your anonymity which is the weapon of
which your antagonists make most use. Why not dissipate it and confound
them? A Mr. Brooks of unknown antecedents might well be supposed
capable of starting a philanthropic work for his own good; the same
suspicion could never fall on Lord Kingston Ross, a future marquis. You
will notice that I make no appeal to you from any personal motive. I
should suggest that we preserve our present relations without
alteration. But if you care to accept my suggestion I would propose
that you nominate me trustee of your society, and I will give, as a
contribution to its funds, the sum of five thousand pounds."

Brooks looked down the long street, quiet and strangely unfamiliar in
the dawning light, and for a moment he hesitated. The letter he held in
his hand crushed up into a shapeless ball. It would make things very
easy. And then--a rush of memories. He swung round and sat down at his
desk, drawing paper and ink towards him.

"DEAR LORD ARRANMORE," he wrote, "I am much obliged to you for the
suggestion contained in your letter, but I regret that its acceptance
would involve the carrying out on my part of certain obligations which I
am not at present prepared to undertake. We will, therefore, if you
please, allow matters to remain on this footing.

"Yours sincerely,

"KINGSTON BROOKS."

Bareheaded he stole out into the street, and breathed freely only when
he heard it drop into the pillar-box. For only he himself knew what
other things went with the rejection of that offer.

He crept up-stairs to lie down for a while, and 'on the way he laughed
softly to himself.

"What a fool she would think me!" he muttered. "What a fool I am!"

PART III

CHAPTER I

AN ARISTOCRATIC RECRUIT

An early spring c