“Poor man,” said he at last; and hung his head sorrowfully. “No wonder then his voice went so to my heart. How strange it all is! and how will it all end?”

“In your being a madman instead of an insolent fool,” hissed the viper.

At this moment Beverley appeared at the end of the yard. Mrs. Archbold whistled him to her like a dog. He came running zealously. “Who was that called while I was out?” she inquired.

“A polite lady, madam: she said sir to me, and thanked me.”

“That sounds like Mrs. Dodd,” said the Archbold quietly.

“Ah, but,” continued Frank, “there was another with her a beautiful young lady; oh, so beautiful!”

“Miss Julia Dodd,” said the Archbold grimly.

Alfred panted, and his eyes roved wildly in search of a way to escape and follow her; she could not be far off.

“Anybody else, Frank?” inquired Mrs. Archbold.

“No more ladies, madam; but there was a young gentleman all in black. I think he was a clergyman—or a butler.”