free choice in the matter of a husband is, alas! nowadays the exception, for parents who want to “get on” up the social scale have found that pretty daughters are a marketable commodity, and many a man has been placed “on his legs,” both financially and socially, by his son-in-law.  Hence the marriage of convenience is fast becoming common, while in the same ratio the divorce petitions are unfortunately on the increase.

I read tragedy in the dark luminous eyes of Muriel Leithcourt.  I knew that her young heart was over-burdened by some secret sorrow or guilty knowledge that she would reveal to me if she dared.  Her own words told me that she was perplexed; that she longed to confide and seek advice of someone, yet by reason of some hidden and untoward circumstance her lips were sealed.

I tried to question her further regarding Woodroffe, of what profession he followed and of his past.

But she evidently suspected me, for I had unfortunately mentioned the Lola.

She wanted to speak to me in confidence, and yet she would reveal to me nothing—­absolutely nothing.

Martin Woodroffe did not rejoin the house-party at Rannoch.

Although I remained the guest of my uncle much longer than I intended, indeed right through the shooting season, in order to watch the Leithcourts, yet as far as we could judge they were extremely well-bred people and very hospitable.

We exchanged a good many visits and dinners, and while my uncle several times invited Leithcourt and his friends to his shoot with al fresco luncheon, which the ladies joined, the tenant of Rannoch always invited us back in return.

Thus I gained many opportunities of talking with Muriel, and of watching her closely.  I had the reputation of being a confirmed bachelor, and on account of that it seemed that she was in no way averse to my companionship.  She could handle a rook-rifle as well as any woman, and was really a very fair shot.  Therefore we often found ourselves alone tramping across the wide open moorland, or along those delightful glens of the Nithsdale, glorious in the autumn tints of their luxurious foliage.

Her father, on the other hand, seemed to view me with considerable suspicion, and I could easily discern that I was only asked to Rannoch because it was impossible to invite my uncle without including myself.

Leithcourt, who perhaps thought I was courting his daughter, was ever endeavoring to avoid me, and would never allow me to walk with him alone.  Why?  I wondered.  Did he fear me?  Had Woodroffe told him of our strange encounter in Leghorn?

His pronounced antipathy towards me caused me to watch him surreptitiously, and more closely than perhaps I should otherwise have done.  He was a man of gloomy mood, and often he would leave his guests and take walks alone, musing and brooding.  On several occasions I followed him in secret, and found to my surprise that although he made long detours in various directions, yet he always arrived at the same spot at the same hour—­five o’clock.