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"That is a fortnight off Do you think you could persuade him to come down here next week instead? I should like you to see him for yourself: or even sooner"

She was still hopelessly confused with these apparent alternations She still wondered whether Mr Cathcart were as ht ahead, up the hill

"Next week? I could try," she said loved hand

"Wait till you have seen hi Mr Morton every day to hear the news Miss Deronnais, I tell you plainly that you alone will have to bear the weight of all this, unless Mrs Baxter--"

"Oh, do explain," she said almost irritably

He looked at her with those irresistibly twinkling eyes, but she perceived a very steady will behind the at all," he said, "now that I have seen you, and heard what you think, except this single point What you have to be prepared for is the news that Mr Baxter has suddenly gone out of his mind"

It was said in exactly the same tone as his previous sentences, and for aShe stopped and looked at hiradually

"Yes, you took that very well," he said, stillhold on yourself That is the worst you have to hear, for the present Now tell me immediately whether you think Mrs Baxter should be infor heart slowed down into three or four gulping blows at the base of her throat She sith difficulty

"How do you know--"

"Kindly answer my question," he said "Do you think Mrs Baxter--"

"Oh, God! Oh, God!" sobbed Maggie

"Steady, steady," said the old man "Takeher eyes fixed on his

He sood And do you think--"

She shook her head again

"No: not one word She is his mother Besides--she is not the kind--she would be of no use"

"Yes: it is as I thought Very well, Miss Deronnais; you will have to be responsible You can wire for me at any moment You have my address?"