The morning after the Courts opened, he received a summons to go and see Mr. Justice Lance in his private room. The old Judge gave him a very friendly greeting and, being due to take his seat in five minutes, opened his business promptly. "My old friend Horace Derwent, who generally comes with me as Marshal, is down with influenza and won't be available for three or four weeks. Esther Norton Ward was at my house yesterday and, when she heard it, she suggested that perhaps you'd like to take his place. I shall be very glad to take you, if you care to come. If anything crops up for you here, you can run up--because Marshals aren't absolutely indispensable to the administration of justice. Your function is to add to my comfort and dignity--and I shan't let that stand in your way." "It's most awfully kind of you. I shall be delighted," said Arthur. "Very well. We start on Monday, and open the Commission at Raylesbury. My clerk will let you know all the details. If you sit in court regularly, I don't think your time will be wasted, and a grateful country pays you two guineas a day--not unacceptable, possibly, at this moment!" His eyes twinkled. Arthur felt that his theatrical speculation had become known. "It's uncommonly acceptable, I assure you, Sir Christopher," said he. "Then let's hope poor Horace Derwent will make a leisurely convalescence," smiled the Judge. In high spirits at the windfall, Arthur started off in the afternoon to thank Esther for her good offices. He had not seen her since they parted, with forced cheerfulness, at the doors of the Burlington Theatre; neither had he carried out his idea of going to one of her husband's meetings; the urgency of his own affairs would have dwarfed those of the nation in his eyes, even had his taste for politics been greater than it was. "I thought you'd like it. You'll find Sir Christopher a pleasant chief, and perhaps it'll keep you out of mischief for a few weeks--and in pocket-money," said Esther, in reply to his thanks. "I've got no more mischief in view," Arthur remarked, almost wistfully. "My wild course is run." "I hope so. Did you ever believe in that terrible farce?" "Oh yes, rather! That is, I believed in it generally--Moments of qualm! That's what made it so interesting." "That evening, Arthur! I declare I still shudder! What did you do after you got rid of us? Knock your head against the wall, or go to bed to hide your tears?" Arthur smiled. "Not exactly, Mrs. Norton Ward. I took part in a sort of Privy Council, about ways and means, though there weren't any of either, to speak of--and Claud Beverley swore eternal friendship to me, heavens knows why! And I had a talk with Miss Layard." Esther was looking at his smiling face in some amazement; he seemed to find the memory of the evening pleasant and amusing. Her own impressions were so different that she was stirred to resentment. "I believe I wasted some good emotion on you," she observed severely.