e to you, too, Captain; for
I feel that you will gladly do the favour I have asked."

"Do it? Yes, like a shot, old chap. What a ripping fellow you are!"

"I'm a tired one at all events," replied Cleek. "So, if you--and the
ladies"--bowing to them--"will kindly excuse me, I'll be off home for a
needed rest. Lady Chepstow, my very best respects. I feel sure that his
little lordship will be quite all right in a day or two, although I
shall, of course, be glad to learn how he progresses. May I? Perhaps
Miss Lorne might be persuaded to send me a word or two through--Mr.
Narkom."

Lady Chepstow was still looking at him as she had been from the moment
he had taken Ailsa's hand. Now she put out her own to him.

"Why wait for written reports, Mr. Cleek? Why not call in person and
see?" she asked. "It will be more satisfactory than writing; and you
will be welcome always."

"I thank your ladyship," he said gravely--though all the soul of him
rioted and laughed and longed to shout out for sheer joy. "It is a
privilege I shall be happy to enjoy."

But afterward, when he came to take his leave, a dearer one was granted
him; for Ailsa herself accompanied him to the door.

"I couldn't let the butler show you out, Mr. Cleek," she said, as they
stood together in the wide entrance hall. "I couldn't let you go until I
had said something that is on my mind--something that has been pricking
my conscience all evening. I want to tell you that from this night on I
am going to forget those other nights: that one in the mist at
Hampstead, that other on the stairway at Wyvern House--forget them
utterly and entirely, Mr. Cleek. Whatever you may have been _once_, I
know that now you are indeed a man!"

Then gave him her hand again, smiled at him, and sent him home feeling
that he was as near to the threshold of heaven as any mortal thing may
hope to be.

Followed a time of such happiness as only they may know who having lived
in darkness first know that there is such a thing as Light; followed
days and weeks that went like magic things, blest to the uttermost
before they go. For now he was a welcome visitor at the house that
sheltered her; now the armour of reserve had dropped from her, and they
were finding out between them that they had many tastes in common.

It was in August when the first interruption to this happy state of
affairs occurred and they came to know that separation was to be endured
again. Lady Chepstow, planning alre