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3 PM--I have opened this letter to tell you that

Mr Chichester and Ronald called here and stayed an hour

Ronald was full of his woes, as usual, so I left hi attendance on

e of the

htfully

"You sent for me, sir?" said Peterby, as Barnabas re-folded the

letter

"Yes, John Are you sure there is no other letter this

from--from Hawkhurst?"

"Quite, sir"

"Yet the Duchess tells me that the Lady Cleone wrote ?"

"Yes, sir"

"And no other? It's very strange!"

But here, the Gentleham desired to see Mr Beverley on ahimself, Peterby withdrew

"Excuse this intrusion, my dear Beverley," said the Marquis as the

door closed, "doocid early I know, but the--ah--the h, how's Devenhaht as

usual, I suppose?"

"Yes," answered Barnabas, shaking hands, "he ought to be up and

about again in a day or two"

"Excellent," nodded the Marquis, "I'll run over to Half-h with him still?"

"No, his Lordship left yesterday"

"Ha!" said the Marquis, and taking out his snuff-box, he looked at it,

tapped it, and put it away again "Poor old Sling," said he gently,

"I miss him damnably, y'know, Beverley"

"Marquis," said Barnabas, "what is it?"