"MY DARLING,--Do not be frightened when you read what follows, and do not hesitate. Think, as you read, that our happiness depends upon your decision. I want you to come, with Frank, by the eleven o'clock train to London, whither I am going now. I want you to take a cab and go to 24 Bruton Street, where I shall be waiting for you. You know what will happen, my darling! Before the morrow you and I will have set out on that long journey through life, hand-in-hand, man and wife. My pen trembles as I write the words. You will come, Stella? Think! I know what you will feel--I know as if I were standing beside you, how you will tremble, and hesitate, and dread the step; but you must take it, dearest! Once we are married all will go well and pleasantly. I cannot wait any longer: why should I? I have written to Frank, and confided him to your care. Trust yourself to him, throw all your doubts and fears to the winds. Think only of my love, and, may I add, your own?" "Yours ever, "LEYCESTER." He inclosed Stella's letter in a small envelope, and that, with Frank's letter, in a larger one, which he addressed to Frank. CHAPTER XXIV. "There," he said, balancing it on his finger and smiling, in his eager, impatient way--"there is the missive, Charlie. Read the superscription thereof." Lord Charles took the letter gingerly, and shook his head. "The lad you picked out of the water," he said. "What does it mean? I wish you'd drop it, Ley." Leycester shook his head. "This is the last time I shall ask you to do me a favor, Charlie----" "Till the next." "You mustn't refuse. I want you to give this to the boy. You will find him down at Etheridge's cottage. You cannot mistake him; he is a fair, delicate-looking boy, with yellow hair and blue eyes." Lord Charles hesitated and looked up with a grave light in his eyes and a faint flush on his face. "Ley," he said, in a low voice, "she is too good, far too good." Lord Leycester's face flushed. "If it were any other man, Charlie," he said, looking him full in the eyes, "I should cut up rough. I tell you that you misunderstand me--and you wrong me." "Then," said Lord Charles, "it is almost a worse case. Ley, Ley, what are you going to do?" "I am going to do what no man on earth could prevent me doing," said Leycester, calmly, but with a fierce light in his eyes. "Not even you, Charlie." Lord Charles rose. "Give me the letter," he said, quietly. "At any rate, I know when words are useless. Is there anything else? Shall I order a straight waistcoat? This, mark my words, Ley!--this--if it is what I conjecture it to be--this is the very maddest thing you have ever done!" "It is the very wisest and sanest," responded Leycester. "No, there is nothing else, Charlie. I may wire for you to-morrow. If I do, you will come?" "Yes, I will come," said Lord Charles. Oliver knocked at the moment. "The dogcart is waiting, my lord, and there is only just time."