rved fell out of them.

At this point Harold rose to go.

"Don't go, Quaritch, don't go," said the Squire. "I shall be glad of
your advice, and I am sure that what you hear will not go any
further."

At the same time Ida motioned him to stay, and though somewhat
unwillingly he did so.

"Dear Sir," began the Squire, reading the letter aloud,--

"Inclosed you will find the usual formal notices calling in the sum
of thirty thousand pounds recently advanced upon the mortgage of
the Honham Castle Estates by Edward Cossey, Esq. These mortgages
have passed into my possession for value received, and it is now
my desire to realise them. I most deeply regret being forced to
press an old client, but my circumstances are such that I am
obliged to do so. If I can in any way facilitate your efforts to
raise the sum I shall be very glad. But in the event of the money
not being forthcoming at the end of six months' notice the
ordinary steps will be taken to realise by foreclosure.

"I am, dear sir, yours truly,
"W. Quest.

"James de la Molle, Esq., J.P., D.L."

"I see now," said Ida. "Mr. Cossey has no further hold on the
mortgages or on the property."

"That's it," said the Squire; "he has transferred them to that
rascally lawyer. And yet he told me--I can't understand it, I really
can't."

At this point the Colonel insisted upon leaving, saying he would call
in again that evening to see if he could be of any assistance. When he
was gone Ida spoke in a cold, determined voice:

"Mr. Cossey told me that when we married he would put those mortgages
in the fire. It now seems that the mortgages were not his to dispose
of, or else that he has since transferred them to Mr. Quest without
informing us."

"Yes, I suppose so," said the Squire.

"Very well," said Ida. "And now, father, I will tell you something. I
engaged myself--or, to be more accurate, I promised to engage myself--
to Edward Cossey on the condition that he would take up these
mortgages when Cossey and Son were threatening to foreclose, or
whatever it is called."

"Good heavens!" said her astonished father, "what an idea!"

"I did it," went on Ida, "and he took up the mortgages, and in due
course he claimed my promise, and I became engaged to marry him,
though that engagement was repugnant to me. You will see that having
persuaded him to advance t