yesterday I really think I hit on something that would
please you. Robert told us how keenly you were feeling your brother's
disappointment, and that he was undecided what to try next. Now, I
believe I can help him there. I have influence in the Foreign Office,
and can ensure him an opening when he is ready for it, if your father
agrees that it is desirable. Would that please you, Peggy? If I can
help your brother, will it go some little way towards paying the debt I
owe you?"

"Oh-h!" cried Peggy rapturously. "Oh!" She clasped Lord Darcy's hands
in her own and gazed at him with dilated eyes. "Can you do it? Will
you do it? There is nothing in all the world I should like so much.
Help Arthur--give him a good chance--and I shall bless you for ever and
ever! I could never thank you enough--"

"Well, well, I will write to your father and see what he has to say. I
can promise the lad a start at least, and after that his future will be
in his own hands, where I think we may safely leave it. Master Arthur
is one of the fortunate being's who has an `open sesame' to all hearts.
Mr Asplin assures me that he is as good at work as at play; I have not
seen that side of his character, but he has always left a most pleasing
impression on my mind, most pleasing." The old lord smiled to himself,
and his eyes took a dreamy expression, as if he were recalling to memory
the handsome face and strong manly presence of the young fellow of whom
he was speaking. "He has been a favourite at our house for some years
now, and I shall be glad to do him a service; but remember, Peggy, that
when I propose this help, it is, in the first instance at least, for
your sake, not his. I tell you this because I think it will give you
pleasure to feel that you have been the means of helping your brother.
Talk it over with him some time when you are alone together, and then he
can come up and see me. To-day we must leave business alone. Here they
come! I thought they would not be long after us--"

Even as he spoke voices sounded from the hall, there was a clatter of
feet over the tiled flooring, and Mellicent dashed into the room.

"P-P-P-Postman!" she stammered breathlessly. "He is coming! Round the
corner! Heaps of letters! Piles of parcels! A hand-cart, and a boy to
help him! Here in five minutes! Oh! oh! oh!" She went rushing back to
the door, and Rosalind came forward, looking almost her old beautiful
self, with her cheeks f