lady looked at him in wonder.

"And my son, Mr. Forester! Have you seen him lately? Have you left him
well?"

"He was in perfect health, Lady Carruthers, when I saw him last,"
replied the lawyer, stiffly.

"I am glad of it. I have no wish to complain, but I have not heard from
my son lately. He has not time to write, I suppose."

"There will be no use in beating about the bush," the lawyer thought. "I
had better speak plainly at once."

"Lady Carruthers," he said, "have you seen today's 'Times'?"

"No," she replied; "I have been so deeply engaged with visitors, I have
really not opened it."

"Then I must ask you to prepare yourself for something very
disagreeable. I wish I knew how to save you from the knowledge--but I do
not."

The diamond necklace rose and fell as though she breathed heavily; her
face grew quite white.

"Does it concern my son, Mr. Carruthers?" she asked.

"Alas, that I must say yes, Lady Carruthers," he answered; "I am not a
man of sentiment, but I would give many years of my life to spare you