d pasty of face, soon appeared, wearing
on the whole rather a limp expression. But John Gurdon had not improved
in appearance; prosperity had not agreed with him. He said that it was
his digestion; but Jane Barker--Mrs Barker now, my lady's maid--shook
her head at him and sighed, as she thought of the smart young fellow who
used to come courting her at the Rectory, laughingly telling her that
he'd caught the complaint of his master.

"I think, Gurdon," said Sir Murray, "that this is the third time that I
have sent for you into the library."

"Yes--yes, Sir Murray," said Gurdon, with a cough behind his hand.

"It is the last time, then. But for your being an old servant, and son
of an old tenant of my late father, I should discharge you at once!"

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, don't, Sir Murray," said the man piteously. "It
shall never occur again; it shan't, indeed!"

"You had been drinking again, last night!"

"Only the least drop, Sir Murray--the least drop. I was a little out of
order yesterday."

"And you were not fit to come before her ladyship, in the drawing-room?"

"Perhaps not quite, Sir Murray--not quite; but--but--"

"And mind this is the last time. No servant of mine shall be a disgrace
to my establishment."

"I humbly beg your pardon, Sir Murray, I do, indeed; and it shall never
occur again, it shan't, indeed. I know your ways, Sir Murray, and I
should die, if you was to turn me off. Please look over it this once."

"I have looked over it, Gurdon, or I should have given you your wages
when you entered the room. Now go and ask her ladyship if she can see
me for a few minutes."

"Her ladyship isn't in, Sir Murray."

"Not in?"

"No, Sir Murray; I wanted to see her about the blue-room chandelier, and
went up, but she was not there; and Barker said, sir, she had just put
on her things and gone out."

"Did she order the pony-carriage?"

"No, Sir Murray; her ladyship often goes out walking."

In spite of himself, Sir Murray Gernon started; for after months of
waiting, it seemed to come to him with a sudden light flashing in upon
his mind that he had found that which he had sought. He looked up the
next moment in his servant's face, trembling for his pride. Did that
sallow, shivering creature who took his pay, and who had been trembling
for fear of his frown, read his thoughts? Did he share his suspicions?
For a moment, as he caught his eye, Sir Murray felt as if he could
strangle him. I