of striking across Hampstead to Belsize. "I have an appointment
at the fir trees on the Heath," he said.

"With a woman?" asked Mr. Crofton.

"Not at all; with a parson."

"A parson!"

"You stare! Well, he is only just ordained. I met him last year
at Bath on his vacation from Cambridge, and he was good enough to lose
some money to me."

"And now waits to pay it out of his first curacy. I wish your lordship
joy with all my soul. Then, we must push on, for it grows late."

"Thanks, my dear sir, for the 'we,' but I must go alone,"
said Lord Bellasis dryly. "To-morrow you can settle with me
for the sitting of last week. Hark! the clock is striking nine.
Good night."


* * * * * *


At half-past nine Richard Devine quitted his mother's house to begin
the new life he had chosen, and so, drawn together by that strange fate
of circumstances which creates events, the father and son approached
each other.