ticularly, Lucian, out of sheer curiosity, obeyed the
summons. Next day, at four o'clock--the appointed hour--he presented
himself as requested, and, on giving his name, was shown immediately
into the presence of his correspondent, who occupied a small private
sitting-room.

When Miss Vrain rose to greet him, Lucian was amazed to see how
beautiful and stately she was. With dark hair and eyes, oval face, and
firm mouth, majestic figure and imperial gait, she moved towards him an
apparent queen. A greater contrast to Mrs. Vrain than her stepdaughter
can scarcely be imagined: the one was a frivolous, volatile fairy, the
other a dignified and reserved woman. She also was arrayed in black
garments, but these were made in the plainest manner, and showed none of
the coquetry of woe such as had characterised Mrs. Vrain's elaborate
costume. The look of sorrow on the face of Diana was in keeping with her
mourning apparel, and she welcomed Lucian with a subdued courtesy which
prepossessed him greatly in her favour.

Quick in his likes and dislikes, the young man was as drawn towards this
beautiful, sad woman as formerly he had been repulsed by the feigned
grief and ensnaring glances of silly Mrs. Vrain.

"I am much obliged to you for calling, Mr. Denzil," said Miss Vrain in a
deep voice, rather melancholy in its tone. "No doubt you wondered how I
obtained your address."

"It did strike me as peculiar, I confess," said Lucian, taking a chair
to which she pointed, "but on considering the matter I fancied that Mrs.
Vrain had----"

"Mrs. Vrain!" echoed Diana in a tone of contempt. "No! I have not seen
Mrs. Vrain since I returned, a week ago, to London. I got your address
from the detective who examined into the death of my most unhappy
father."

"You have seen Link?"

"Yes, and I know all that Link could tell me. He mentioned your name
frequently in his narrative, and gave me to understand that on two
occasions you had spoken with my father; therefore, I asked him to give
me your address, so that I might speak with you personally on the
matter."

"I am quite at your service, Miss Vrain. I suppose you wish to learn
all that I know of the tragedy?"

"I wish for more than that, Mr. Denzil," said Diana quietly. "I wish you
to help me in hunting down the assassin of my father."

"What! Do you intend to reopen the case?"

"Certainly; but I did not know that the case--as you call it--had been
closed. I have come home from Aust