•^Who can ti at be ?' asked Jtisoa Hadd, with quick "suspicion. * You.. do not expect other guests, S:r Archy? 1

The baronet replied in the negative. 'Strange,' observed Hadd, uneasily. ' I heard that that painter fellow had lft Wilchester the night before yon. did. He had the presumption to ad mire Miss Rosamond. Can he have followed her here f

Rosamond flushed under Hadd'a keen glance, and regarded him with ind:gnation.
Sir Ar^hy was on the point of re plying sharply, when quick steps were heard in the hall, and an instaut later the parl -r door was burst opon. and Amos Hadd, the bailiff, rushed into the room. There was a strange eager ness and excitement in the manner of the land agen* —a perturbation which he had tever before exhibited. His clothing was disorderly, his hair dis hevelled, and his whole appearance was that of a man upon whom somo great and unexpected reverse has fallen.
He stared at Sir Archy, at Kosa« mond, at his son, and glanced round the room quickly, as if in search of a fourth person. 1 Where is she ?' he demanded ex citedly. * Where is she ?'

Sir Arcby's countenance expressed his astonishment.
* For whom are you inquiring ?' he asked.
