The Press., 1895-01-31
[Concluded.) AAA FOR L0NK
(Concluded.)
By WALTER BESANT.

In the ure of things it was InIpus- sible that I could avoid being interested not only in the love affair of my friend and the most beautiful girl, Isabel, but also in her father. From Paul I learned that something had been done which must be concealed; from the boy, that something had been done which would make it impossible for him to go into any kind of public life; from the wicked old man, MT. Brundish, that he had himself defended" the father of this interesting pair at a critical juncture when he himself had been a Q. c. All this put together did not inform one of much, yet it made me curious, not so much to know more as to see ill the flesh the man who had caused this terrible cloud to hang over his children's lives, the man who had "done something"
 We'll, Twas introduced to him. saw him. He was a singularly handsome man, portly, dignifed, we'll dressed and possessed of manner perfectly charm ing not only at ease with himself, but able to set his guests at their ease He was apparently about 60 years of age. His abundant hair was of splendid creamy white, his features were sharp and clear, his eyes singularly bright they were of deep blue, like those of his daughter-he not only looked, but he was perfectly polished and delight full man. At the very sight of him all the injurious suspicion and doubts one had entertained of him vanished. As he talked one was lifted out of one's self and carried into circles and among people one had never thought to know. Perhaps he talked too continuously, but nobody else present could have talked half so well, and l, for one, was content to listen.
 There were six or seven guests besides Paul and myself. It was all excellent dinner, admirably served, and with ad mirable wine. At first gave myself up entirely to the enjoyment of the de- lightful talk and thought of nothing else. But strange thing happened. In the very middle of the dinner I caught a sharp and curiously suggestive glance from Isabel. It seemed to ask me what thought now of her father, and if l really knew that
 Ifelt myself blushing like her brother, and my mind suddenly went back to what I had heard. Of what nature was 1 the "cloud?'' Had the ex-Q. c. really defended our host, and if so on what oc- casion? And all the other scandalous statements returned to my brain. Why had the venerable clergyman opposite to me no longer cure of souls? Why had the gallant major next to him left the army? Was it true that the Hon. Arthur Mompesson had been expelled his club for cheating at cards? And this middle aged lady, whom I had taken into dinner, could she really have poi soned her lover? And while I pondered these things our host Is pleasant, genial voice went flowing on, so that one felt the strangest incongruity between these absurd questions and the place. the talk and the people.
 Three weeks later the pair were quiet ly married, without any party, brides maids or ceremony at all. What Paul said to Isabel's father know not, but at the wedding the old man seemed strangely shaken and agitated, trem- bling at every footfall. He had be- come aged, one knew not why. The bride and bridegroom drove from the church to the nearest station. MT. Reeve went home, and went back to the inn. found there the man Brundish, who had been drinking already, though it was not yet noon.
 II told the old man would inter- rupt the ceremony" he said, with 8 grin, land make him marry the girl under her true name, but he begged me not. I am to dine with him tonight instead. Ha! Now that the girl is gone, he says, he does not care who comes to his house. Wanted to keep his own children from their fathers old friends, r you see. There's gratitude! Why, who defended him? Who made such speech that all England rang with it-eh?''
 "Well," I said, ''now that MT. Reeves daughter has married, you have done with her, at any rate, and with me too. ;
 II don't know, young man, l don't know" he replied. ''I am, it is true, 8 forgiving person, which is lucky for the happy bridegroom. But then he ore shook cane over my shoulders 1 t.,1l' [ know if have done with them. -.rd wasn't good enough to be invited to i--. house. Respectable company you met there, wasn't it? The man drummed