“I thought she was really charming to-night,” Gilbert said, “in spite of that fellow’s efforts to absorb her attention.  It is pretty easy to see how the land lies in that direction; and it such a rival were likely to injure you, you have a very determined one in Mr. Pallinson.”

“Yes; the surgeon has evidently fixed his hopes upon poor old Michael Branston’s money.  But I don’t think he will succeed.”

“You will not allow him to do so, I hope?”

“I don’t know about that.  Then you really admire the little woman, Gilbert?”

“Very much; as much as I have ever admired any woman except Marian Nowell.”

“Ah, your Marian is a star, single and alone in her brightness, like that planet up yonder!  But Adela Branston is a good little soul, and will make a charming wife.  Gilbert, I wish to heaven you would fall in love with her!”

Gilbert Fenton stared aghast at his companion, as he tossed the end of his cigar into the gutter.

“Why, John, you must be mad to say such a thing.”

“No, it is by no means a mad notion.  I want to see you cured, Gilbert.  I do like you, dear boy, you know, as much as it is possible for a selfish worthless fellow like me to like any man.  I would give a great deal to see you happy; and I am sure that you might be so as Adela Branston’s husband.  I grant you that I am the favourite at present; but she is just the sort of woman to be won by any man who would really prove himself worthy of her.  Her liking for me is a mere idle fancy, which would soon die out for want of fuel.  You are my superior in every way—­younger, handsomer, better.  Why should you not go in for this thing, Gil?”

“Because I have no heart to give any woman, John.  And even if I were free, I would not give my heart to a woman whose affection had to be diverted from another channel before it could be bestowed upon me.  I can’t imagine what has put such a preposterous idea into your head, or why it is that you shrink from improving your own chances with Mrs. Branston.”

“You must not wonder at anything that I do or say, Gilbert.  It is my nature to do strange things—­my destiny to take the wrong turning in life!”

“When shall I see you again?” Gilbert asked, when they were parting at the Temple gates.

“I can scarcely tell you that.  I must go back to Oxford to-morrow.”

“So soon?”

“Yes, my work gets on better down there.  I will let you know directly I return to London.”

On this they parted, Gilbert considerably mystified by his friend’s conduct, but not caring to push his questions farther.  He had his own affairs to think of, that one business which absorbed almost the whole of his thoughts—­the business of his search for the man who had robbed him of his promised wife, this interval, in which he remained inactive, devoting himself to the duties of his commercial life, was only a pause in his labours.  He was not the less bent upon bringing about a face-to-face meeting between himself and Marian’s husband because of this brief suspension of his efforts.