that you will write at once to the mother of this unfortunate woman--to
Mrs. Catherick--to ask for her testimony in support of the explanation
which I have just offered to you."

I saw Miss Halcombe change colour, and look a little uneasy. Sir
Percival's suggestion, politely as it was expressed, appeared to her,
as it appeared to me, to point very delicately at the hesitation which
her manner had betrayed a moment or two since.

"I hope, Sir Percival, you don't do me the injustice to suppose that I
distrust you," she said quickly.

"Certainly not, Miss Halcombe. I make my proposal purely as an act of
attention to YOU. Will you excuse my obstinacy if I still venture to
press it?"

He walked to the writing-table as he spoke, drew a chair to it, and
opened the paper case.

"Let me beg you to write the note," he said, "as a favour to ME. It
need not occupy you more than a few minutes. You have only to ask Mrs.
Catherick two questions. First, if her daughter was placed in the
Asylum with her knowledge and approval. Secondly, if the share I took
in the matter was such as to merit the expression of her gratitude
towards myself? Mr. Gilmore's mind is at ease on this unpleasant
subject, and your mind is at ease--pray set my mind at ease also by
writing the note."

"You oblige me to grant your request, Sir Percival, when I would much
rather refuse it."

With those words Miss Halcombe rose from her place and went to the
writing-table. Sir Percival thanked her, handed her a pen, and then
walked away towards the fireplace. Miss Fairlie's little Italian
greyhound was lying on the rug. He held out his hand, and called to
the dog good-humouredly.

"Come, Nina," he said, "we remember each other, don't we?"

The little beast, cowardly and cross-grained, as pet-dogs usually are,
looked up at him sharply, shrank away from his outstretched hand,
whined, shivered, and hid itself under a sofa. It was scarcely
possible that he could have been put out by such a trifle as a dog's
reception of him, but I observed, nevertheless, that he walked away
towards the window very suddenly. Perhaps his temper is irritable at
times. If so, I can sympathise with him. My temper is irritable at
times too.

Miss Halcombe was not long in writing the note. When it was done she
rose from the writing-table, and handed the open sheet of paper to Sir
Percival. He bowed, took it from her, folded it up immediately without
looking at the con