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defenceless young widow and an old widower in Lord Mountclere's
position to whom she was plighteda great deal of formal
considerateness making itself visible on her part； and of extreme
tenderness on his。 While thus occupied； he turned to the piano； and
casually glanced at a piece of music lying open upon it。 Some words
of writing at the top expressed that it was the composer's original
copy； presented by him； Christopher Julian； to the author of the
song。 Seeing that he noticed the sheet somewhat lengthily；
Ethelberta remarked that it had been an offering made to her a long
time agoa melody written to one of her own poems。
'In the writing of the composer；' observed Lord Mountclere； with
interest。 'An offering from the musician himselfvery gratifying
and touching。 Mr。 Christopher Julian is the name I see upon it； I
believe？ I knew his father； Dr。 Julian； a Sandbourne man； if I
recollect。'
'Yes；' said Ethelberta placidly。 But it was really with an effort。
The song was the identical one which Christopher sent up to her from
Sandbourne when the fire of her hope burnt high for less material
ends； and the discovery of the sheet among her music that day had
started eddies of emotion for some time checked。
'I am sorry you have been grieved；' said Lord Mountclere； with
gloomy restlessness。
'Grieved？' said Ethelberta。
'Did I not see a tear there？ or did my eyes deceive me？'
'You might have seen one。'
'Ah！ a tear； and a song。 I think'
'You naturally think that a woman who cries over a man's gift must
be in love with the giver？' Ethelberta looked him serenely in the
face。
Lord Mountclere's jealous suspicions were considerably shaken。
'Not at all；' he said hastily； as if ashamed。 'One who cries over a
song is much affected by its sentiment。'
'Do you expect authors to cry over their own words？' she inquired；
merging defence in attack。 'I am afraid they don't often do that。'
'You would make me uneasy。'
'On the contrary； I would reassure you。 Are you not still
doubting？' she asked； with a pleasant smile。
'I cannot doubt you！'
'Swear； like a faithful knight。'
'I swear； my fairy； my flower！'
After this the old man appeared to be pondering； indeed； his
thoughts could hardly be said to be present when he uttered the
words。 For though the tabernacle was getting shaky by reason of
years and merry living； so that what was going on inside might often
be guessed without by the movement of the hangings； as in a puppet…
show with worn canvas； he could be quiet enough when scheming any
plot of particular neatness； which had less emotion than impishness
in it。 Such an innocent amusement he was pondering now。
Before leaving her； he asked if she would accompany him to a morning
instrumental concert at Melchester； which was to take place in the
course of that week for the benefit of some local institution。
'Melchester；' she repeated faintly； and observed him as searchingly
as it was possible to do without exposing herself to a raking fire
in return。 Could he know that Christopher was living there； and was
this said in prolongation of his recent suspicion？ But Lord
Mountclere's face gave no sign。
'You forget one fatal objection；' said she； 'the secrecy in which it
is imperative that the engagement between us should be kept。'
'I am not known in Melchester without my carriage； nor are you。'
'We may be known by somebody on the road。'
'Then let it be arranged in this way。 I will not call here to take
you up； but will meet you at the station at Anglebury； and we can go
on together by train without notice。 Surely there can be no
objection to that？ It would be mere prudishness to object； since we
are to become one so shortly。' He spoke a little impatiently。 It
was plain that he particularly wanted her to go to Melchester。
'I merely meant that there was a chance of discovery in our going
out together。 And discovery means no marriage。' She was pale now；
and sick at heart； for it seemed that the viscount must be aware
that Christopher dwelt at that place； and was about to test her
concerning him。
'Why does it mean no marriage？' said he。
'My father might； and almost certainly would； object to it。
Although he cannot control me； he might entreat me。'
'Why would he object？' said Lord Mountclere uneasily； and somewhat
haughtily。
'I don't know。'
'But you will be my wifesay again that you will。'
'I will。'
He breathed。 'He will not objecthee…hee！' he said。 'O noI
think you will be mine now。'
'I have said so。 But look to me all the same。'
'You malign yourself； dear one。 But you will meet me at Anglebury；
as I wish； and go on to Melchester with me？'
'I shall be pleased toif my sister may accompany me。'
'Ahyour sister。 Yes； of course。'
They settled the time of the journey； and when the visit had been
stretched out as long as it reasonably could be with propriety； Lord
Mountclere took his leave。
When he was again seated on the driving…phaeton which he had brought
that day； Lord Mountclere looked gleeful； and shrewd enough in his
own opinion to outwit Mephistopheles。 As soon as they were
ascending a hill； and he could find time to free his hand； he pulled
off his glove； and drawing from his pocket a programme of the
Melchester concert referred to； contemplated therein the name of one
of the intended performers。 The name was that of Mr。 C。 Julian。
Replacing it again； he looked ahead； and some time after murmured
with wily mirth； 'An excellent testa lucky thought！'
Nothing of importance occurred during the intervening days。 At two
o'clock on the appointed afternoon Ethelberta stepped from the train
at Melchester with the viscount； who had met her as proposed； she
was followed behind by Picotee。
The concert was to be held at the Town…hall half…an…hour later。
They entered a fly in waiting； and secure from recognition； were
driven leisurely in that direction； Picotee silent and absorbed with
her own thoughts。
'There's the Cathedral；' said Lord Mountclere humorously； as they
caught a view of one of its towers through a street leading into the
Close。
'Yes。'
'It boasts of a very fine organ。'
'Ah。'
'And the organist is a clever young man。'
'Oh。'
Lord Mountclere paused a moment or two。 'By the way； you may
remember that he is the Mr。 Julian who set your song to music！'
'I recollect it quite well。' Her heart was horrified and she
thought Lord Mountclere must be developing into an inquisitor； which
perhaps he was。 But none of this reached her face。
They turned in the direction of the Hall； were set down； and
entered。
The large assembly…room set apart for the concert was upstairs； and
it was possible to enter it in two ways： by the large doorway in
front of the landing； or by turning down a side passage leading to
council…rooms and subsidiary apartments of small size； which were
allotted to performers in any exhibition； thus they could enter from
one of these directly upon the platform； without passing through the
audience。
'Will you seat yourselves here？' said Lord Mountclere； who； instead
of entering by the direct door； had brought the