"You won't reconsider the advisability of----" "No, I won't!" And Helmsley smiled. "I'm quite obstinate on that point. If I die suddenly, my property goes to the Crown,--if not, why then you will in due course receive your instructions." Vesey studied him with thoughtful attention. "You're a queer fellow, David!" he said, at last. "But I can't help liking you. I only wish you were not quite so--so romantic!" "Romantic!" Helmsley looked amused. "Romance and I said good-bye to each other years ago. I admit that I used to be romantic--but I'm not now." "You are!" And Sir Francis frowned a legal frown which soon brightened into a smile. "A man of your age doesn't want to be loved for himself alone unless he's very romantic indeed! And that's what you do want!--and that's what I'm afraid you won't get, in your position--not as this world goes! Good-night!" "Good-night!" They walked out of the drawing-room to the head of the grand staircase, and there shook hands and parted, a manservant being in waiting to show Sir Francis to the door. But late as the hour was, Helmsley did not immediately retire to rest. Long after all his household were in bed and sleeping, he sat in the hushed solitude of his library, writing many letters. The library was on a line with the drawing-room, and its one window, facing the Mall, was thrown open to admit such air as could ooze through the stifling heat of the sultry night. Pausing once in the busy work of his hand and pen, Helmsley looked up and saw the bright star he had watched from the upper balcony, peering in upon him steadily like an eye. A weary smile, sadder than scorn, wavered across his features. "That's Venus," he murmured half aloud. "The Eden star of all very young people,--the star of Love!" CHAPTER II