On the following morning at an early hour Tarbot, knowing nothing of the arrival of Mrs. Ives, went down to Devonshire. He left the train at the little station of Haversham, and, taking a trap, drove straight to the “Pelham Arms” in the village of Great Pelham, which went by this name in contradistinction to Little Pelham, which was four miles distant at the other side of Pelham Towers. Having secured the best room which the “Pelham Arms” boasted of, Tarbot proceeded to make himself comfortable. He ordered a good dinner, unpacked his traps, and then took a stroll to reconnoiter the place. He knew Pelham Towers well, having been there in his boyhood, and he wished now to revisit his old haunts, and prepare for the campaign which he had set himself. As he was returning to the inn, just as the dusk was falling, a carriage passed him. The occupants of the carriage were Barbara and Mrs. Pelham. There was still light enough for them to recognize him. Barbara desired the carriage to stop, and Tarbot went up to speak to the two ladies. “What are you doing here?” asked Barbara. “I have come down on special business,” he replied. “I have a matter I want to consult you about,” he added, looking full at Mrs. Pelham. “Certainly,” she answered. Then Barbara spoke. “Why did you not tell us, Dr. Tarbot? We could have put you up at the Towers.” “Thank you,” he replied; “but I have taken a very comfortable room at the ‘Pelham Arms.’” Barbara paused for a moment. She did not like Tarbot, and was sorry he had come to Great Pelham, but as he was there she felt she must be civil to him. “You will dine with us to-night?” she said, bending out of the carriage as she spoke and looking at him. He glanced full up into her lovely eyes. Her face caused his heart to beat wildly. “I will come,” he said in a hoarse voice. Barbara could not but observe his agitation. She repented of having asked him. “We dine at seven,” she said coldly, falling back into her seat as she spoke. “We shall expect you at that hour.” He answered in the affirmative, and the carriage bowled rapidly away.