CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

A DIFFICULT MISSION.

Every one in the room uttered an ejaculation at the housekeeper's announcement, but the old lawyer remained calm.

"I'll come and speak to him," he said. "Don't be alarmed," he turned and whispered to Mrs Hampton. "Some mistake of the old woman's. Try and keep her calm. A messenger, I think."

As he reached the door, the old woman laid her hand upon his arm, and whispered to him: "But it is not Mr George, sir."

"No, of course not, woman. A message from him. Where is the gentleman?"

"The dining-room things were not all cleared away, sir, and I showed him into the study."

Mr Hampton nodded, and in a quiet, business-like way went out, and crossed the hall to the study, where the visitor, a tall, deeply sun-browned, frank-looking young man, who looked hollow-cheeked, as if from some long illness, rose from his seat.

The lawyer bowed.

"I want to see Miss Gertrude Bellwood," said the visitor.

"I am her nearest friend, sir; and, I may say, I am deputed to hear your business. You come from Mr George Harrington, I presume?"

"Well, no, sir. I only reached Liverpool yesterday, London this afternoon. I am George Harrington."

"What?"

"You seem surprised. I received letters from my grandfather, asking me, urgently, to return to England. I had made my preparations for returning, when I met with--an accident, and I have been dangerously