The man disappeared, and, in a few minutes, Mark Wilton made his appearance. He greeted Lester Vane with stern and haughty coldness--conduct his father viewed with irritation, though he made no remark then in reference to it, but confined himself to the matter upon which he had sent for him. “I hear, Mark,” he said “that Gomer has left the Hall for the railway station, is it so?” “Surely, sir,” answered Mark, with surprise, “you are aware of that fact. He informed me that he had parted with you.” “Parted with me?” “Yes, sir; he expressed himself, I thought, rather emphatically; but he appeared to be in a very great hurry, and took that singular companion of his, Mr. Maybee, with him.” “Maybee!” echoed Wilton, in a tone of alarm. He looked hastily over the papers still on the table, but all the documents which Maybee had produced needful to support Wilton’s claim to the large estates in Chancery were yet there. What, then, could Gomer mean by withdrawing him? “My solicitor is still here,” he exclaimed, addressing Mark. “I left him in conversation with my sister, sir,” replied Mark. “He will dine with us--in fact he does not return to London until the morning,” said his father. “Mr. Vane will also be our guest for a--for a--for the present. You will conduct him to your sister and Mr. Charlock, my excellent man of business--quite a gentleman, I assure you, Mr. Vane.” The “Honorable” bowed. “A wealthy man, and of high standing in his profession,” added Mr. Wilton. Vane bowed again. “I have a high esteem for men of the legal profession,” he said; “they are agreeable company--they are acute men, intelligent, full of anecdote, and, from the very character of their position and acquirements, respectable.” Mr. Wilton rubbed his hands, he was pleased with the reply. “I am desirous of a little quiet just now,” he observed; “I shall therefore have an hour or so to myself in my sanctum here alone, but I will join you at dinner. It was not my intention to have done so, but I feel equal now to the pleasure I shall enjoy. Mark, I place Mr. Vane under your charge; I am sure you will pay him every attention.” Mark made a cold inclination of the head and left the library, followed by Vane, who perceived his coolness, but he had too great a game at stake to appear to do so, or to appear to be affected by it. He himself assumed a proud _nonchalant_ air, and took his way after Mark Wilton, who walked with a quick step at an easy, leisurely pace. Mark again wondered where he had seen Vane and under what circumstances. He felt morally convinced that they had met before, and that the impressions left behind were not favourable to Lester. In vain he endeavoured to solve the difficulty; his memory would not serve him in this.