"You will, I hope, count me among them. I spoke only from a desire to see you fairly treated."
"I have reason to number you among them. I am going to Paris shortly, I think, with Mrs. Montjoy. Her eyesight is failing. I will be glad to see you again before then."
"With Mrs. Montjoy?" exclaimed Barksdale.
"Yes; the matter is not entirely settled yet, but I do not doubt that she will make the trip. Miss Montjoy will go with us."
Barksdale did not lift his eyes, but was silent, his hand toying with his glass.
"I will probably call upon you before your departure," he said, as he arose.
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE FLASHLIGHT PHOTOGRAPH.
Twilight was deepening over the hills and already the valleys were in shadow when Edward reached Ilexhurst. He stood for a moment looking back on the city and the hills beyond. He seemed to be laying aside a sweeter life for something less fair, and the old weight descended upon him. After all was it wise to go forth, when the return to the solitude of a clouded life was inevitable? There was no escape from fate.