A carriage drove rapidly up the avenue leading to Middleton Hall.

The Hall was not large, but was handsome and well-proportioned, and looked singularly attractive, its gray walls forming a harmonious contrast with the bright green ivy that partially covered them, and the broad, smooth lawn that stretched out in front.

Mrs. Middleton regarded her home with unmingled satisfaction. It was to be her home now as long as she lived. Now that the boy was dead, no one could wrest it from her. She would live there, but not in solitary grandeur. The news of her success would bring Capt. Gregory Lovell to her side, and their marriage would follow as soon as decency would permit. If afterward he should desire to have the name of the residence changed to Lovell Hall, Mrs. Middleton decided that she would not object. Why should she? She had no superstitious love for her present name, while Lovell had for her the charm which love always gives to the name of the loved one.

The housekeeper, stout and matronly, received her mistress at the door.

Welcome home, Mrs. Middleton,” she said. “How long it seems since you went away!”

“How do you do, Sarah?” said her mistress, graciously. “I can assure you I am glad to be back.”

“You will find everything in order, mum, I hope and believe,” said Sarah. “We expected to see you sooner.”

“I hoped to be back sooner, but the business detained me longer than I desired.”

“And how did you succeed, mum, if I may be so bold?” inquired the housekeeper, curiously.

As I expected, Sarah. I found that the poor boy was dead.”

“Indeed, mum!”

“I hoped to bring him back with me, according to my poor husband’s desire, but it was ordered otherwise by an inscrutable Providence.”

Sarah coughed.

It is very sad,” she said, but she looked curiously at her mistress.

She knew very well that this sad news rejoiced the heart of Mrs. Middleton, and the latter knew that she could not for a moment impose upon her clear-sighted housekeeper. But the farce must be kept up for the sake of appearances.

Come up to my chamber with me, Sarah. I want to ask you what has been going on since I was away. Have you heard from Lady Lovell’s family? Are they all well?”

Lady Lovell was the mother of Capt. Gregory Lovell, and the question was earnestly put.

They are all well except the captain,” answered Sarah.

Is he sick?” demanded her mistress, turning upon her swiftly.

No, mum; I only meant to say the captain was gone away.”

“Gone away! When? Where?”

“He’s ordered to India, I believe, mum. He went away a month ago.”

Mrs. Middleton sank into her chair quite overcome. Her joy was clouded, for the reward of her long and toilsome journey was snatched from her.

Did he not leave any message?” she asked. “Did he not call before he went away?”

“Yes, mum. He left a note.”

“Give it to me quick. Why did you not mention it before?”

“It’s the first chance I got, mum. The letter is in my own chamber. I took the best care of it. I will get it directly.”

“Do go, Sarah.”

Mrs. Middleton awaited the return of Sarah with nervous impatience. Perhaps the captain had thrown her over after all, and, loving him as she did, this would have torn the heart of the intriguing woman, who, cold and selfish as she was so far as others were concerned, really loved the handsome captain.

Sarah speedily reappeared with the letter.

Here it is, mum,” she said. “I have taken the best care of it.”

Mrs. Middleton tore it open with nervous haste. This is the way it ran:

“My Dear Jane: I am about to set out for India—not willingly, but my regiment is ordered there, and I must obey or quit the service. This, as you well know, I cannot do; for, apart from my official pay, I have but a paltry two hundred pounds a year, and that is barely enough to pay my tailor’s bill. I am sorry to go away in your absence. If I were only sure you ............