“It is my bounded duty to act according to the instructions received from your lordship,” said the lawyer. “Tell me what you wish me to do.” “You had better hasten at once to Wood Green, and let my grand-daughter know who she is. I should like you to bring her and her son back with you, if this be possible. I will, in the meantime, consider over the proposition we will make to her.” “I will act in accordance with your instructions.” “But you do not like the commission” said the earl, quickly. “You need not reply, Chicknell; I see you do not.” “Gentlemen in our profession are constrained to undertake commissions which at times may be neither pleasing nor palatable to them. I will do my best to further your views.” The earl bowed, and then said, in a quieter tone―― “There is another little matter, Mr. Chicknell. We have to attend to this picture-frame maker, Mr. Peace. He has been of essential service to us, and certainly deserves some recompense.” “Certainly; that was understood.” “What do you propose?” “He’s a poor man. Fifty pounds would be deemed a liberal recompense.” “I will get you to take him a cheque for a hundred.” “Ah, that will be ample――more than sufficient.” “You will see what he says――how he receives it.” The lawyer nodded. The earl drew the cheque, and handed it to Chicknell. “You wish me to present him with it before I leave?” “Certainly; do so at once.” Mr. Chicknell remained at Broxbridge Hall till the following morning after the foregoing conversation. He sallied forth, and bent his steps in the direction of Peace’s workshop. The frame-maker was hard at work. A few brief words sufficed to explain the reason for his visit. He handed the earl’s cheque to our hero, who accepted it, and at the same time expressed his sense of gratitude, and said it was much more than he had any right to expect. This little bit of business having turned out perfectly satisfactory, Mr. Chicknell took the train up to London, and from thence proceeded to Wood Green. Upon his arrival at Gatliffe’s residence he discovered the young wife in the garden, which ran at one side and in the rear of the house. Mr. Chicknell raised his hat in a most courtly manner as Aveline advanced towards the gate at which he was standing. “Mrs. Gatliffe, I presume?” said the lawyer. The lady answered in the affirmative, and unlocked the gate. “I am a stranger to you, madam,” he observed, apologetically; “but the business I am engaged in makes it a matter of necessity that we should confer together.” “Do you wish to see me or my husband? If the latter he is not within, and will not return home till the evening.” “It’s you I desire to communicate with, not your husband.” Mrs. Gatliffe looked surprised, but did not make any reply. She opened a side door, and conducted her visitor into the front parlour.