lingering there,--

"Your sister is saved, Wady. She needs now chiefly wine, and good
though light nourishment; these you will find at my house; call there for
them every day."

"God bless you, sir! If ever I can serve you--" His tongue faltered,
he could say no more.

Serve me, Allen Fenwick--that poor policeman! Me, whom a king could not
serve! What did I ask from earth but Fame and Lilian's heart? Thrones
and bread man wins from the aid of others; fame and woman's heart he can
only gain through himself.

So I strode gayly up the hill, through the iron gates, into the fairy
ground, and stood before Lilian's home.

The man-servant, on opening the door, seemed somewhat confused, and
said hastily before I spoke,--

"Not at home, sir; a note for you."

I turned the note mechanically in my hand; I felt stunned.

"Not at home! Miss Ashleigh cannot be out. How is she?"

"Better, sir, thank you."

I still could not open the note; my eyes turned wistfully towards the
windows of the house, and there--at the drawing-room window--I encountered