ady Constantine.'

'Your right hand upon the compact.'

He gave his hand, and raised hers to his lips. In addition to his
respect for her as the lady of the manor, there was the admiration of
twenty years for twenty-eight or nine in such relations.

'I trust you,' she said. 'Now, beyond the above conditions, it was
specially necessary that my agent should have known Sir Blount
Constantine well by sight when he was at home. For the errand is
concerning my husband; I am much disturbed at what I have heard about
him.'

'I am indeed sorry to know it.'

'There are only two people in the parish who fulfil all the
conditions,--Mr. Torkingham, and yourself. I sent for Mr. Torkingham,
and he came. I could not tell him. I felt at the last moment that he
wouldn't do. I have come to you because I think you will do. This is
it: my husband has led me and all the world to believe that he is in
Africa, hunting lions. I have had a mysterious letter informing me that
he has been seen in London, in very peculiar circumstances. The truth of
this I want ascertained. Will you go on the journey?'

'Personally, I would go to the end of the world for you, Lady
Constantine; but--'

'No buts!'

'How can I leave?'

'Why not?'

'I am preparing a work on variable stars. There is one of these which I
have exceptionally observed for several months, and on this my great
theory is mainly based. It has been hitherto called irregular; but I
have detected a periodicity in its so-called irregularities which, if
proved, would add some very valuable facts to those known on this
subject, one of the most interesting, perplexing, and suggestive in the
whole field of astronomy. Now, to clinch my theory, there should be a
sudden variation this week,--or at latest next week,--and I have to watch
every night not to let it pass. You see my reason for declining, Lady
Constantine.'

'Young men are always so selfish!' she said.

'It might ruin the whole of my year's labour if I leave now!' returned
the youth, greatly hurt. 'Could you not wait a fortnight longer?'

'No,--no. Don't think that I have asked you, pray. I have no wish to
inconvenience you.'

'Lady Constantine, don't be angry with me! Will you do this,--watch the
star for me while I am gone? If you are prepared to do it effectually, I
will go.'

'Will it be much trouble?'

'It will be some trouble. You would have to come here every clear
evening about nine. If the s