William would be speechless, and far beyond the reach of human science.

   His secret would sleep with the White Groom.

   Then Philippa and I drove to town, Philippa asking me conundrums, like Nebuchadnezzar.

   'There was something I dreamed of. Tell me what it was?' she asked.

   But, though better informed than the Wise Men and Soothsayers of old, I did not gratify her unusual desire.

   On reaching town I drove straight to the hotel at which my mother was staying.

   It was one of those highly-priced private hotels in the New Out.

   As, however, I had no desire to purchase this place of entertainment, the exorbitant value set on it by its proprietors did not affect my spirits.

   In a few minutes I had told my mother all save two things: the business of the baby, and the fate which had overtaken Sir Runan.

   With these trifling exceptions she knew all.

   To fall into Philippa's arms was, to my still active parent, the work of a moment.

   Then Philippa looked at me with an artless wink.

   'Basil, my brother, you are really too good.'

   Ah, how happy I should have felt could that one dark night's work have been undone!

   HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience. My readers will, however, already have guessed that

    my

   mother was no common character.

   Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

   The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better

    not

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