s impatiently expectant; he did his best
to appear gravely thoughtful, and behaved with the ceremonious courtesy
which, in his quality of parliamentary candidate, he had of late been
cultivating. His visitor, as soon as the door was closed, became quite
at her ease.

"Nice little place," she remarked, glancing about the room. "You make
this your head-quarters, of course?"

"Yes; I am very comfortable here," Dyce answered, in melodious
undertone.

"And all goes well? Your committee at work, and all that?"

"Everything satisfactory, so far. The date is not fixed yet."

"But it'll be all over, no doubt, in time for the partridges," said
Mrs. Toplady, scrutinising him with an amused look. "Do you shoot?"

"Why no, Mrs. Toplady. I care very little for sport."

"Like all sensible men. I wanted to hear what you think about Lady
Ogram's will."

Lashmar was disconcerted. He had to confess that he knew nothing
whatever about the will.

"Indeed? Then I bring you news."

They were interrupted by a waiter who appeared with tea. The visitor
graciously accepted a cup.

"Funerals exhaust one so, _don't_ they?" she remarked. "I don't know
your opinion, but I think people should be married and buried far more
quietly. For my own part, I grieve sincerely for the death of Lady
Ogram. It's a great loss to me. I liked her, and I owed her gratitude
for very much kindness. But I certainly shouldn't have gone to her
funeral, if it hadn't been a social duty. I should have liked to sit
quietly at home, thinking about her."

"I thoroughly agree with you," replied Dyce, absently. "You came down
yesterday?"

"In the evening.--You know that Miss Tomalin is at my house?"

"I had no idea of it."

"Yes. She arrived the day before yesterday. She left Rivenoak as soon
as she knew about Lady Ogram's will. I'm very glad indeed that she came
to me; it was a great mark of confidence. Under the circumstances, she
could hardly remain here."

"The circumstances--?"

"Lady Ogram's will does not mention her."

Lashmar felt a spasm in his breast. The expression of his features was
so very significant that Mrs. Toplady's smile threatened to become a
laugh.

"It's rather startling, isn't it?" she continued. "The will was made t
year ago. Lady Ogram didn't mean it to stand. When she was in town, she
talked over her affairs with her solicitor; a new will was to be made,
by which Miss Tomalin would have come into possession of Rivenoak, and
of