The Man with a Secret

u were in

ained the h

veins the sn

you now to g

of the s

our eyes t

self with Muffins and a fishing rod. Ferdinand having been worsted by the volatile Dick, had long since departed to work at

you are doing?" asked R

won't see," retorted Dick

peated Reggy

dant, old chap--fishin' means the same thing as fishing, and not so

Reggy politely, wal

bosh, oh King. Whe

ang

k his head, and whistled, at w

ean?" he asked

emurely; "you're 'goin' a-court

k," said Blake angr

uarter? I never mentioned the lady's name. You ought

could

ike de

n Aro

but beautifu

ld in a vexed tone; "I am only going over to

to her--odd, isn't it?--so very odd." And with a capital imitation of Miss Cassandra's fidgety mann

now, being alone, he relapsed into sombre thoughts. He was dissatisfied with his position, and longed to know more about himself--who were his parents?--were they dead or alive?--why

household, should let his thoughts run on such a morbid idea as the possibility of his being a natural son. He had no experience of vice, and should therefore have accepted the marriage of his unknown parents as a fact, especially when

tween his parents, lay in a discovery which he had lately made--a discovery which chang

mits and which dominates and sways the whole nature. Drawn in the first place towards Una by simple admiration of her beauty, he learned later on to discard this passion without soul, and found in the kindred sympathy of her

ts whiteness. He was not an ideal young man, still he discovered nothing in his life which could embarrass him to explain, so felt quite easy in himself, but now t

ut now it was imperative he should learn all, be it good or evil, and shape his course accordingly. At this moment of his life he stood at the junction of two roads, and the explanation of Patience Allerby would decide which one he was to take. Having come to this l

the ground--the absence of song of bird or cheerful lowing of kine--all weighed down and depressed his spirits. The uniform tints of the landscape with their absence of colour and life seemed like a type of his own existence at present; but lo, when he raised his eyes a golden shaft of sunlight was above the distant towers of the Grange, where

Beaumont, who was listlessly strolling along, thinking deeply. Remembering the vicar's dislike to the character of Beaumon

said in a friendly tone.

to the leisurely walk of the artist; "the v

k," said Beaumont indolently; "he is much better--the

Nestley now?

d to the Grange

have to remain down here for some time--the Squire has taken a

e a liking to me," said Blake w

ve go

ed! W

our t

ghed and sho

nk that," he

You need training, severe training, to bring your voice to perfection; but you've got a wonderful organ to work on--n

hy

e than voice--it needs great perseverance, powerful dramat

t all that," said Regg

ow from the way you sang that song last night--you are educated, of course, and I can see for mys

hink

. Are you ambitious? If you are, you must have pers

w s

an't succeed without perseverance--ergo, he perseveres to succe

not s

on talking. "Then you have no incentive; you are in the chrysal

ntive can

leave the dull village--the desire to have money, a

ast remark stung sharply, "at

ont l

t follow, you will p

e dark secret of his birth came back to him; if what he surmised were true, he would have nothing to work for as there would be an insuperable bar between him and the

on one thing,"

thing?" asked

hereupon Beaumont laughed lightly in no wise offende

Beaumont was going to turn back when

"so you can learn all about the Squire

the Grange,"

for he had heard rumours in the village which led him to bel

ake some angry remark, when Nestley came up

Beaumont lightly, "an

mined not to give his enemy the pleasure of seeing his annoyance, so, smoothi

e all right soon--less excita

ain?" asked

ight--he's got a

interposed Blake,

a good deal of method in it. He's got queer ideas about the re-

t, indolently. "Are you coming back,

ful fascination about the man which few could resist, and in spite of his dislike Nestley

ly, "particularly as I want to gi

aumont in surpri

ire wants his portr

ng you are, my dear Nestley. I'll be delighted to paint the Squire

asked Nestley, abruptly turning to

ire. Good morning, gentlemen," and with a cool nod, the yo

d looking af

" he repeated. "Yes

nically. "You've seen

now Una Challo

know he loves

y gloomily. "I found that out

ed strangely at the down

e said, lighting

hat?" asked N

lso love Un

ve only see

theles

ha

d Beaumont airily. "I'll tell

king at the ground, on seeing which, Beaumont

back to Garsworth, and you can tell me all abo