ur
guests for the day. That is all," said the squire, in dismissing the
youths.

Then, turning to the old lady, he said:

"I cannot express to you, Miss Bayard, the obligation I feel under for
your wise and prompt action in this matter. But for you much misery might
have ensued."

"Lord, squire, I did no more than what might have been expected of me--one
of my descent!" complacently replied Miss Sibby, as she bowed and sailed
out of the office.

"To be sure! To be sure!" assented the amiable master of Mondreer.

"I wonder," whispered Leonidas Force, as he linked his arm in that of
Roland Bayard, and they passed along the hall together, "I do wonder if it
is characteristic of a lady of high descent to open the envelope of a
letter left on her mantelpiece and take out the letter? I wonder, further,
if it were not a breach of the law, and what the lawyers call
'actionable'?"

"I think not," laughed Roland. "She acted in the cause of law, peace and
justice. I don't think you could get any judge, jury, or even country
magistrate, to see it in any other light."

They had now reached Mrs. Force's sitting room, where, as soon as they
entered, they were received with the warmest welcome by all the family and
guests there assembled.

Miss Sibby had already resumed her seat in the most comfortable armchair
the room could boast.

There were present Mrs. Force, Mrs. Anglesea, Miss Bayard and the two
little girls, who had just come in.

Odalite was not there.

"Come here, my fine, young sailor lad! I haven't seen sight of you since
the rumpus in the church! Wasn't that a circus? Come here and sit by me!"
said the lady from Wild Cats', making room on the sofa for Roland Bayard,
who, with a smile and a bow, immediately placed himself beside her.

What else could a gentleman do?

"How is Odalite, auntie, dear?" inquired Le, seating himself just behind
Mrs. Force's chair, and leaning over its back.

"She is much better and brighter than she has been for many weeks past,"
replied the lady.

"Indeed! I am very glad to hear it, auntie! There is something about
Odalite that I cannot understand. I came home finding her engaged to be
married, of her own free will, and yet utterly wretched--wretched to the
verge of madness! And now that the wedding has been publicly broken off in
a manner reflecting the deepest disgrace upon the bridegroom, you say she
is brighter and happier than she has been for many weeks," said Le, in a