“He lives in London; but I have a friend who knows him. May I send an outline to him through that friend, and ask him whether he can advise you in the matter?”

“You may; and thank you a thousand times!”

“A mind like that, with knowledge, zeal, and invention, must surely throw some light.”

“One would think so, dear friend.”

“I'll write to-night and send a letter to Greatrex; we shall perhaps get an answer the day after to-morrow.”

“Ah! you are not the one to go to sleep in the service of a friend. A writer, did you say? What does he write?”

“Fiction.”

“What, novels?”

“And dramas and all.”

Lady Bassett sighed incredulously. “I should never think of going to Fiction for wisdom.”