When he found that neither Hope nor his son could join these festivities, he was very sorry he had named so early a day; but he was so punctilious and precise that he could not make up his mind to change one day for another.

So a great confectioner at Derby who sent out feasts was charged with the affair, and the Colonel's own kitchen was at his service too.

That was not all.

Bartley was coming to do business.

This had been preceded by a letter which Colonel Clifford, it may be remembered, had offered to show Grace Clifford.