He spoke the last words over his shoulder and disappeared.

The father and son were engaged in a conversation that moved them both

deeply; and a knock had been repeated on the door twice, before they

heard it and Derrick said, "Come in!"

A policeman stood on the threshold.

"A lady and gentleman to see you, sir."

"I can see no one," said Derrick, trying to keep his voice steady; but

his father made a gesture with his hand and Derrick nodded reluctantly.

There entered Lady Gridborough and Reggie Rex, who had obtained

permission from Mr. Jacobs. Lady Gridborough was much agitated, and she

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was going with outstretched hand, straight to Derrick, but stopped at

sight of the old man who had risen from his chair.

"Oh, I came at once!" she said, tremulously. "I couldn't stay away. Oh,

Derrick, I am so sorry, so sorry. I might have known that you couldn't

be so bad, so wicked as they all said! Will you forgive me? Oh, do say

you'll forgive me for so cruelly misjudging you."

Derrick took the fat hand and looked, with a grave smile of more than

forgiveness, at the good-natured, agitated face.

"Don't say any more, Lady Gridborough," he said. "It was my fault. I

ought to have spoken--I see now what a fool I have been! My mistaken

sense of honour has caused all this trouble; and grieved you very much,

I see, dear Lady Gridborough. But how did you learn the truth--I mean

discover that I had not wronged poor Susie?"

"It was Mr. Rex here," said Lady Gridborough, her face all smiles now.

"He's an extraordinary young man, and has succeeded in doing that at

which we had all failed--opening Susie's lips. How he managed it, I do

not know! Perhaps he can tell you."

Derrick had got hold of Reggie's hand by this time, and was regarding

him with a half-smiling interrogation; and Reggie was also smiling with

that air of omniscience and supreme acuteness which sat so curiously on

his boyish face.

"A future wife should have no secrets from her future husband, as you

will be the first to admit, dear Lady Gridborough."

"'Future husband!'" echoed Derrick, with a surprise that was only

momentary.

"Yes," said Reggie, quietly. "I have won my angel. I don't deny that it

was difficult; but this last business of yours settled it. You see,

Susie felt that, if she told the truth, and showed up the right man--or,

rather, the wrong one; for, if there was ever a 'wrong un,' it is----;

but we won't mention names--Susie knew that she would be doing Celia a

service; besides, Susie felt that she could face the world much more

easily, if she had a great, hulking man beside her. And," he added

modestly, "there were--ahem--other reasons."




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