"Rosamund, dear, how very wasteful! And we have scarcely any coal in the cellar, and your father says he will not be able to order a fresh supply before Monday." "Mother darling, sit down in your easy-chair and warm yourself by the fire; you look so white and shivery. Mammie dear," I continued, kneeling down and rubbing my cheek affectionately against hers, "I feel full of hope to-day--I cannot economise to-day--don't ask me." My mother smoothed back my hair, kissed me on my forehead, and gave herself up to the enjoyment of the fire. "Do you know why I am going to town?" I whispered. "I wish you would not go at all, Rose. Your father is vexed." "I fear I must vex him to-day, mother. I am going to Cousin Geoffrey's house." Two pink roses stole into my mother's pretty cheeks. She looked at me inquiringly. "Last night," I continued, "the ruby ring brought me a message." "Rosamund, my darling, what do you mean?" "What I say. I will explain everything when I return from town. I am going now on the business which the ring told me of." I sprang to my feet as I spoke, kissed my mother again, and ran out of the room to get ready. I had a silent journey up to Paddington; neither my father nor George would say a word to me. When I arrived at the terminus I coolly desired George to hail a hansom for me. "I think you must be mad," he said, raising his eyebrows. "Will you get me a hansom?" I repeated, in a quiet voice. He stared at me again; but the steady look in my eyes quelled him. He held up his umbrella to a hansom driver, and walked unwillingly across the platform with me. My father had long ago left us to our own devices. "Shall I give you a lift, George?" I said. "I am going towards the City." "No, thank you," he replied. "I at least am too honest to ride in a vehicle I cannot afford." "George," I said, looking earnestly at him, "believe me, I am doing nothing rashly. I am upheld by a hope to-day--a hope which may turn out a mere chimera, but which is yet sufficiently real to induce me to take steps to see Mr Gray with as little delay as possible." "Who is Mr Gray?" "Cousin Geoffrey Rutherford's lawyer." "That crazed old man who died in the autumn?" "Good-bye, George," I said, springing into the hansom and waving my hand to him. I shouted Mr Gray's address to the driver through the little window in the roof. George was so angry that he did not even vouchsafe to take off his hat to me as I drove away. I arrived at Mr Gray's in good time. He was within, and I was shown almost directly into his presence. "How do you do, Miss Lindley?" he said; "please be seated." His manner was calm and pleasant, but his eyes said plainly, "Now, what's up? Have you got any news for me?" I answered Mr Gray's eyes, not his voice. I did not sit down, but stood close to him, as if I was in haste to be gone. "I want an order to view Cousin Geoffrey's house," I said. "What, again?" he asked. "Yes, and I am in a great hurry."