.

THE HUNTERS.
To the amazement of them all, there entered a tall gentleman in a full-bottomed wig, with a long, pale face, a resolute mouth, and a pair of eyes that were keen, yet kindly.

Close upon the heels of the second secretary came Mr.Green.Humphries withdrew, and closed the door.
Mr.Templeton made her ladyship a low bow.
"Madam," said he very gravely, "I offer your ladyship--and you, my lord--my profoundest condolence in the bereavement you have suffered, and my scarcely less profound excuses for this intrusion upon your grief." Mr.Templeton may or may not have reflected that the grief upon which he deplored his intrusion was none so apparent.
"I had not ventured to do so," he continued, "but that your lordship seemed to invite my presence." "Invited it, sir ?" questioned Rotherby with deference.

"I should scarcely have presumed so far as to invite it." "Not directly, perhaps," returned the second secretary.

His was a deep, rich voice, and he spoke with great deliberateness, as if considering well each word before allowing it utterance.