received from Blanche, she resolved to leave Windygates by the next morning's train, and to try the bold experiment of personal interference at Ham Farm.

The third in the succession of events was the appearance of the doctor to pay his professional visit.

A severe shock awaited him. He found his patient cured by the draught! It was contrary to all rule and precedent; it savoured of quackery -the red lavender had no business to do what the red lavender had done-but there she was, nevertheless, up and dressed, and contemplating a journey to London on the next day but one. "An act of duty, doctor, is involved in this-whatever the sacrifice, I must go!" No other explanation could be obtained. The patient was plainly determined—nothing remained for the physician but to retreat with unimpaired dignity, and a paid fee. He did it. "Our art,” he explained to Lady Lundie in confidence, "is nothing, after all, but a choice between alternatives. For instance. I see you-not cured, as you think-but sustained by abnormal excitement. I have to ask which is the least of the two evils-to risk letting you travel, or to irritate you by keeping you at home. With your constitution, we must risk the journey. to keep the window of the carriage up, on which the wind blows.

Be careful

on the side

Let the extremities be

moderately warm, and the mind easy-and pray don't omit to provide yourself with a second bottle of the Mixture, before you start." He made his bow, as before-he slipped two guineas into his pocket, as before-and he went his way, as before, with an approving conscience, in the character of a physician who had done his duty. (What an enviable profession is Medicine! And why don't

we all belong to it?)

The last of the events was the arrival of Mrs. Glenarm.

"Well?" she began, eagerly, "what news?"

The narrative of her ladyship's discoveriesrecited at full length; and the announcement of her ladyship's resolution-declared in the most uncompromising terms-raised Mrs. Glenarm's excitement to the highest pitch.

"I

"You go to town on Saturday?" she said. will go with you. Ever since that woman declared she should be in London before me, I have been dying to hasten my journey-and it is such an opportunity to go with you! I can easily manage it. My uncle and I were to have met in London, early next week, for the foot-race. I have only to write and tell him of my change of plans. -By-the-bye, talking of my uncle, I have heard, since I saw you, from the lawyers at Perth."

"More anonymous letters ?"

"One more-received by the lawyers this time.

My unknown correspondent has written to them to withdraw his proposal, and to announce that he has left Perth. The lawyers recommend me to stop my uncle from spending money uselessly in

employing the London police.

I have forwarded

their letter to the Captain; and he will probably be in town to see his solicitors as soon as I get there with you. So much for what I have done in Dear Lady Lundie-when we are at

this matter.

our journey's end-what do you mean to do?" "My course is plain," answered her ladyship, calmly. "Sir Patrick will hear from me, on

Sunday morning next, at Ham Farm."

Telling him what you have found out?"

Certainly not! Telling him that I find myself called to London by business, and that I propose paying him a short visit on Monday next."

"Of course he must receive you?"

"I think there is no doubt of that. Even his hatred of his brother's widow can hardly go to the length-after leaving my letter unanswered-of closing his doors against me next."

"How will you manage it, when you get there?"

"When I get there, my dear, I shall be breathing an atmosphere of treachery and deceit; and, for my poor child's sake (abhorrent as all dissimulation is to me), I must be careful what I do. Not a word will escape my lips, until I have first seen

Blanche in private. However painful it may be, I shall not shrink from my duty, if my duty compels me to open her eyes to the truth. Sir Patrick and Mr. Brinkworth will have somebody else, besides an inexperienced young creature, to deal with on Monday next. I shall be there."

With that

formidable announcement, Lady

formidable

Lundie closed the conversation; and Mrs. Glenarm

rose to take her leave.

"We meet at the Junction, dear Lady Lundie ?” "At the Junction, on Saturday.

THE END OF THE TENTH SCENE.

Eleventh Scene.

SIR PATRICK'S HOUSE.

CHAPTER THE FORTY-SEVENTH.

THE SMOKING-ROOM WINDOW.

CAN'T believe it! I won't believe it! You're trying to part me from my husband-you're trying to set me against my It's horrible. What have I done to you? Oh, my head! my head! Are you trying to drive me mad?"

dearest friend. It's infamous.

Pale and wild; her hands twisted in her hair; her feet hurrying her aimlessly to and fro in the room-so Blanche answered her stepmother, when the object of Lady Lundie's pilgrimage had been accomplished, and the cruel truth had been plainly

told.

Her ladyship sat, superbly composed, looking out through the window at the placid landscape of woods and fields which surrounded Ham Farm.