"I will undertake it with great pleasure, and carry it through to the
best of my ability," replied Ivor.

"I'm sure you can carry it through excellently," said the Foreign
Secretary, still fencing. "It will be good practice, if you succeed,
for--any future duties in the career which may be opening to you."

"He's bribing him with that consulship," I thought, beginning to be very
curious indeed as to what I might be going to hear. My heart wasn't
beating so thickly now. I could think almost calmly again.

"I thank you for your trust in me," said Ivor.

"A little diplomatic errand," repeated the Foreign Secretary. "In itself
the thing is not much: that is, on the face of it. And yet, in its
relation with other interests, it becomes a mission of vast importance,
incalculable importance. When I have explained, you will see why I apply
to you. Indeed, I came to my cousin Mountstuart's house expressly
because I was told you would be at his wife's ball. My regret is, that
the news which brought me in search of you didn't reach me earlier, for
if it had I should have come with my wife, and have got at you in time
to send you off--if you agreed to go--to-night. As it is, the matter
will have to rest till to-morrow morning. It's too late for you to catch
the midnight boat across the Channel."

"Across the Channel?" echoed Ivor. "You want me to go to France?"

"Yes."

"One could always get across somehow," said Ivor, thoughtfully, "if