About twelve o'clock next day Richard Arden showed himself at Mortlake. It was a beautiful autumnal day, and the mellow sun fell upon a foliage that was fading into russet and yellow. Alice was looking out from the open window, on the noble old timber whose wide-spread boughs and thinning leaves caught the sunbeams pleasantly. She had heard her brother and his companion go down the stairs, and saw them, from the window, walk quickly down the avenue, till the trees hid them from view. She thought that some of the servants were up, and that the door was secured on their departure; and the effect of the shock she had received gradually subsiding, she looked to her next interview with her brother for an explanation of the occurrence which had so startled her. That interview was approaching; the cab drove up to the steps, and her brother got out. Anxiously she looked, but no one followed him, and the driver shut the cab-door. Sir Richard kissed his hand to her, as she stood in the window. From the hall the house opens to the right and left, in two suites of rooms. The room in which Alice stood was called the sage-room, from its being hung in sage-green leather, stamped in gold. It is a small room to the left, and would answer very prettily for a card party or a _tête-à-tête_. Alice had her work, her books, and her music there; she liked it because the room was small and cheery. The door opened, and her brother comes in. "Good Dick, to come so early! welcome, darling," she said, putting her arms about his neck, as he stooped and kissed her, smiling. He looked very ill, and his smile was painful. "That was an odd little visit I paid last night," said he, with his dark eyes fixed on her, inquiringly she thought--"very late--quite unexpected. You are quite well to-day?--you look flourishing." "I wish I could say as much for you, Dick; I'm afraid you are tiring yourself to death." "I had some one with me last night," said Sir Richard, with his eye still upon her; "I--I don't know whether you perceived that." Alice looked away, and then said carelessly, but very gravely-- "I did--I saw Mr. Longcluse. I could not believe my eyes, Dick. You must promise me one thing." "What is that?" "That he sha'n't come into this house any more--while I am here, I mean." "That is easily promised," said he. "And what did he come about, Dick?" "Oh! he came--he came--I thought I told you; he came about papers. I did not tell you; but he has, after all, turned out very friendly. He is going to do me a very important service." She looked very much surprised. The young man glanced through the window, to which he walked; he seemed embarrassed, and then turning to her, he said peevishly-- "You seem to think, Alice, that one can never make a mistake, or change an opinion." "But I did not say so; only, Dick, I must tell you that I have such a horror of that man--a _terror_ of him--as nothing can ever get over." "I'm to blame for that."