No sooner were they vanished, than the intruder addressed himself to Miss Royston with the most perfect calmness and respect.

“I return,” said he, “to ‘Delsrop’ to-morrow.”

She vouchsafed him a lifted eyebrow of surprise.

“So soon?” said she. “Then your business is concluded—or postponed?”

“It is concluded.”

“To your satisfaction, I trust?”

“Assuredly. I am satisfied I came on a fool’s errand.”

“Indeed?”

She trifled with her fan. Suddenly she leaned back in the shadow of the curtains and looked up at him.

“Mr. Tuke,” she said—“were you ever my lord’s tailor?”