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[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.] BY MUTUAL CON- SENT. By F. MARSDEN SUTCLIFFE, Autbor of "The Bells of St. Barnabas' "The Romance of an Insurance Office, Revealed by Fire," &c., &o. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Chatters I. to III.—Winifred Denison, the wife ?f Captain Denison, a gambler and roue, it sitting a quiot room at the Station Hotel at York. Only a few days before her infant child had died, «»a she had resolved to sevsr the lis which bound her to her husband as far as she was able by renouncing her name and leaving him to carry on II life or shame alone. The Optain received the oew« of her determination with calmness, as he h*u Mcome somewhat tired of the passec face of ins young -wife, on which sorrow had left its impress. After thev part Winifred, who had token her maiden na'me of West, sees from a newspaper t.iat two sons of Sir John Denison had met with an un- timely death, and that lie himself was at the point of death. She considers that perhaps in a fiow hours her lawful husband will be Sir Regiuula Denison, and she—w ill be Winifred West. Cjuptebs IV. to Vf.-Ca.ptain Denison hears of the death of his father whilst at Monte Carlo, and hurries home to take possession of the ancestral estl\te. In the meantime, Winifred W est, whilst peiformiue her duties as hospital nurse, is beloved by one of the patients, the Hon. Claude Maclean, who, after his recovery, invites har to his mother s house at Glen-Orloch.. „ Chapti hs VII. and VIII.-At Glen-Orloch Castle Claud. Maclean and his mother make Winifred West welcome in real Highland fashion and admire her powers as an artist. Turning to the hoi.ieof Captain, now Sir Reginald Denison, his sister, the Countess of Polehanipton, urges him to marry and enter Parliament, and introduces him to Miss Theresa Goffin as a likely Lady Denison. CHAPTER IX. Learn to win a lady's faith Nobly, as the thing is high; I E tivelf, as for life and death, Willi a loyal gravity," è 0 shadow from the pabt fell on 8ir Reginald Denison as he mo ved amongst hi, guests. He hore himself with a well- b red e all e, his smiling face betray- ing no sign of the buried in his breut. If he thonght of Winifred at all it was withontremorse t for the ruin that he bad brought upon her young life. 11e had come to regard his marriage as an # dent> from which e himself was the cbirf sufferer, and whiob t must be his busies to forget. If the mure of his wife presented itseli to his mind he paid the tribute of a sigh, but the sigh was given to what he had come to look upon as his own supreme folly in having forged him- self a tie that he loathed. Since he parted from Winifred at York, when they went their several ways after exchanging pledges not to molest each other if their paths in life happened hereafter to cross, there had been times when the matri- monial chain clanked loudly in his ears. But nearly two years had rolled away since bus- band and wife parted by mutual oonsent, ana Sir Reginald Denison Had grown so acous- tomed to his liberty as to fall under the delu- :100 that he was free whenever it pleased him to con-tract a new tie. He did not bind him- self to the fact that a bigamous marriage was circumstance that the law would take ft •over* account of. But he relied °n \\in- fred's.ailence, satisfied that she would i "er part of the bargain.. It did not occur to him that when Y» mi fred deolared herself so resolutely in favour of cutting her life adrift ftom his tha« «n» ^ad failed to reckon with all the difficul les Jf the position, or that the thought of a second marriage being contracted by either or v^hein had not entered into her contcmp &- ti0«. All he cared to know was that she had Manifested an invincible repugnance to a Per^ Petuation of their ill-assorted union, and tha- had given her word not to interfere with What might be the probable effect on *» in if red's conscience if the tidings ever Reached her that her husband was on the point Of making a new alliance was a thought alto- gether remote from his mind. He would not have comprehended it even if it had foroeditself On his attention. He meant to keep his own lecret,and he did not doubt that Winifred Would keep hers, and in this faith he laid siege to the heart of the woman whom his lister had chosen for his wife. There was something in the American delutante that alternately repelled and at- tracted Sir Reginald Denison. The source of tho attraction he oould scarcely define. It not her beauty, for, strictly speaking, x herega Qoffia was Qot beautiful. Iier mouth ind nose, though indicating oharacter, were too large to satisfy such a connoisseur of female beauty as Sir Reginald claimed to be. But she had a sweet oval faoe, with a broad olear brow, large penetrating eyes, finely- pencilled eyebrows, a long arching neok that seemed to droop mder the weight of a dainty head oovered w vh dark crisp curls. Her akin was clea as fine porcelain, beneath whioh the faintest suspicion of a warm fiesh tint faintly glowti. Her fine dark eyes and her noble brow bore strong testimony to her inielleotuality. „ Perhaps if Sir Reginald Denison nad been ,-iVeD to self-analysis he would have found in this intellectuality the secret of his repulsion, is the reason of his attraction was to be found in the fact that Theresa Goffin was like no other woman whom he had ever met, and possessed, therefore, for him the peouliar charm that a bon viveur finds in some new piquant sauce. She promised a new seniation to a jaded appetite. fie contrived, without neglecting his duties as host or laying himself open to a oharge of too particular attention, to monopolise her, and the fair American showed no aversion to be monopolised. She was not one of thoso women who believe that marriage is a woman's inevitable destiny, still less would she have been pre- pared to admit that this was true of herself. It pleased her to keep an open mind on that subject. If it fell to her lot to make a marriage that would round off and oomplete her life, she felt that it would be well; but if it were otherwise ordered for her she knew that she had resources in hersolf to find happiness in her life as a single woman. On one point her mind was fully made up: she would not change her lot for any of the reasons that led nine-tenths of her sex to change theirs. Unless marriage promised for her the satisfaction that she looked for, as a rational woman, she would have none of it. lor wealth she oared little; her own wealth was a sufficient burden to her. For the tinsel of titles she cared nothing at all, She was willing to be mated if she could find a mate who would answer to her own nature and to whom she could render all homage and service aud fealty as a wife. Sir Reginald flattered himself that he was making a deep impression ou Miss Gollin, and that when be proposed for her- she, at whose feet other men had sighed in vain, would fall to his band like a ripe plum. For this exoess of oonfidt-nce he was not greatly to be blamed, seeing the ready ear which the American heiress gave to him whenever he addressed her. He did not imagine that he was being judi- cially weighed in the balances, and that a Fever Iff ore had Sir Reginald felt so etz,ed in the presence of virtue. debtor tnd creditor account of his virtues and defects was being kept iu the girl's mind. The easy terms of intimacy into which they fell, and the graciousness with which Miss Gollin welcomed Sir Reginald's approaches, were witnessed by the Countess of Pole- hampton with unmixed satisfaction. Every- thing, she thought, was prospering as she wished. Shs felt such confidence in the suc- cess of her brother's wooing that she could not refrain from endeavouring to enlist Miss Goffin's sympathies in her scheme for intro- ducing Sir Reginald into political life. The American heiress had been at Alver- thorpe several days, when one evening, before the gentlemen joined the ladies after dinner, she found herself engaged in a tete-a-tete with the Countess. I wanted to have a cosy chat with you," the latter said, when they were out of ear- shot. I have a great piece of news. Mr. Denvers, the member for Millborough, is dead, and Lord Polehampton and I are most anxious that Reginald should offer himself as a candi- date for the vacant seat. It would be so nice to see him in the House." "1 suppose it would," said Miss uofnn, doubtfully, as Lady Polehampton paused in expectation of a reply, not knowing what else t0"Tam glad you think so. I was confident that you would agree withme and l tbink you can help me to bring it about, said Lady Polehampton, in a buoyant tone, satisfied that she was breaking the ice and preparing the way for Sir Reginald. f, I do not think I understand you, said Miss Goffin, smiling sweetly. It would be a great pleasure to serve you iu any way, but how can I assist you ? « Thanks. I knew you would. So nice of you. You see, Reginald has given very little attention to politics, and naturally feels very great diffidence in coming forward in these exciting times. It is so dreadful to be heckled by electors, you know," she addea, in explanation.. < Miss Goffin answered with a look of intel- ligence, whilst an amused smile played round the corners of her mouth. 1 "What I thought, dear, was this, Countess continued, that you might speak to him and urge him to come foi-ward "Me?" exclaimed Miss Goflin, heedless of grammar in the surprise that overcame her. « Yem, Y)tA dear. Do speak to him. You have more influence over him than all of us put together." the Countess continued. it is so important that he should shake off his inertness. The best of men are apt to get a little selfish if they have nothing to occupy them outside the sphere of their own interests." I should have imagined that Sir Reginald could have found plenty to do at Alverthorpe in looking after the interests of his tenants to exolude selfishness." 1"0 doubt, you are right, dear. He makes an excellent landlord, but there is nothing like taking an interest in the larger affairs of the Empire for taking a man out of himself. It appeals to the imagination, you know. and that is a great thing for preventing and keep- ing off the narrowness of the paroohial mind and the selfishness that is inevitable to a man whose range is limited." It occurred to Theresa that this was some- thing like sophistry, though for a moment she could hardly place her finger on the underlying fallaoy. She only felt that if a sedulous attention to politics was required to save a man from parochial narrow mindedness and the selfishness which that entailed, the rest of mankind to whom such an exclcsivedevotion to political affairs was impossible were in a parlous state. But she was too considerate towards Lady lolchaiiipiou to bint at this objection, Do yon think that a man who has not taken an interest in political affairs is qualified to be a legislator ? she asked. Well, no, perhaps not a legislator, but he can vote right, you know, and that is the main thing," returned the Countess confi- dently. But isn't that rather dreadful," aaid Miss Goffin, hesitating, to vote without under- standing why you vote ?" Oh, as for that, I will see that Reginald is kept straight until he knows how to walk alone. You will speak to him, dear ? mur- mured the Countess pleadingly. "r am afraid you overrate my influence," said Miss Goffin, with a low, musical laugh. There I differ from you. A wish from you would be equivalent to a command with Reginald." ól Which makes rny responsibility the heavier," returned Miss Goffin with a smile. 11 Nevertheless, I will speak to Sir Reginald, as you seem to wish it." Here he comes," said Lady Polehampton as Sir Reginald appeared, with the rest of the gentlemen bringing up the rear. A few minute* later Sir Reginald, acting on a hint from his sister, had contrived to lead Miss Goflin into the conservatory on pretext of showing her a new plaut that he had pro- cured at great expense. i, Yes, it is very beautiful," she said, admiring the lovely bloom on the rare exotio, but you take an interest in graver matters than these. Politics, for in-tatice P" That is where I am deficient," saul Sir Reginald, frankly. Politics bore me. What is the good of fretting yourself to fiddle-1 strings merely to help a set of greedy place- men into office?" II No good at all jn that I ahould say," replied Miss Go/lln, with a touch of contempt in her tone, But surely there are higher ends to serve than that. It seems to me that a man who took up public business with the pure aims of a patriot might find Abundant opportunity to serve bit country, Why should you not do your duty as other men in your position do ? Perhaps I am to blame," said Sir Regi- nald, with an air of humility. My sister wishes me to contest a seat that is now vacant. If you wish it also I will yield to the pressure." Sir Reginald threw so much significance into his tone that Miss Goffin could not affect to misunderstand him. She found herself on the horns of dilemma: unable to beat a retreat without failing in her promise to Lady Polehampton, and unable to go forward lest she should hold out hopes that could not be gratified. She accordingly took refuge in silence, j I would do even more than that to win your regard," continued Sir Reginald as Miss Goffin's glance fell for a moment before bis. Give me the hope that I may win your love and there is nothing in which your wishes shall remain ungratified. I think you muat have seen the change that has passed over me since you came to Alverthorpe. I cannot resist the spell that you have cast over me. I would not if I could. The most passionate desire of my heart is that I may have a part in contributing to your ha.ppiness." Sir Reginald pleaded his cause with ardour, but there was something in Miss Goffin's manner that checked his utterance. She was neither trembling nor overwhelmed with con- fusion, as is the fashion of maidens when they are about to accept their lovers nor did she look pained and distressed as women often do when placed under the stern necessity of nipping an ill-placed affection in the bud. She stood with her eyes fixed on him in a searching glance that at once chilled his ardour and arrested his pleading. "I am afraid I have spoken too soon,' he said, with an apologetic air, "but I could not refrain." No, you have not spoken too soon, it you really mean what you say." « Can you doubt me ? he asked, making an attempt to seize her hand, which she re- sisted. ,I Let my future devotion prove my Sincerity." H IJû 110t let us misunderstand each other," said Miss Goffin, with her eyes still steadily fixed on his. « What you ask for cannot be. I could have wished you had spoken earlier, if you must speak at all, to avoid giving you unnecessary disappointment. That was what I meant to convey." Am I so repugnant to you ?" cried Sir Reginald, who was bitterly humiliated by his rebuff. No; repugnant is not the word-but do not let us stop to argue that. I am sorry if I have wounded you. Pray forgive me." There is nothing to forgive," said Sir Reginald gloomily. "I have been hasty. I ought to have remembered that we have known each other only a short time, und waited." Miss Goffin shook her head with mournful emphasis. You think it would have made no diffe- rence," continued Sir Reginald, "but my undue precipitation has not stood my friend. I won't ask you to forget what I have said. Rather would I implore you to remember that my destiny is in your keeping." Do not let us prolong this interview," said Miss Goffin, 11 and let me beg .of you not to recur to the subject." I cannot take your answer as final," taid Sir Reginald. Let me at least hope that I may succeed in altering your resolution." That is impossible," said Miss Goffin, in clear bell-like tone. Let us join the others." One moment," exclaimed Sir Reginald, raising his hand in protest. Tell me before you go why you dislike me so much ? "Dislike is a very strong word, Sir Reg- inald. I am not conscious of the feeling. I cannot bring my mind to look upon you in the light of a husband. That is all." But why ? Am I so utterly objection- able ?" persisted Sir Reginald. il Do not press me for my reasons. They cannot be altered. You have proved a kind host, and as the brother of Lady Polehamp- ton, of whose friendship I am exceedingly proud, I wish to cherish only feelings of kind- ness for you." Sir Reginald felt himself cheokmated, and bit his lips in his vexation, but he was piqued and reluctant to abandon the useless contest without beating down Miss Goffin's guard. "It would be kindness to tell me what I have done to raise this ioy barrier between us," he said. You evidently do not believe in my rearnestness, but there is no test to which you can submit it that I shall not prove equal to. Tell me to wait; lay any burden on me that you please, but give me leave to try and win your love or tell me why 1 am fated not to succeed." You press me very unfairly, Sir Reginald. I think a woman's I No, ,should be taken as final." Not always. Women sometimes change their minds." Then I must give you proof that I shall not change mine. Is that what you want ? II Yes; that is my desire certainly. It was not for light reasons that I learnt to cherish the hope of winning your love, and I cannot lightly surrender it." .1 I do not admit your right to press me in this way but, as you wish to know my rea- son for deolaring my decision to be irre- vocable I will gratify your wish if you will answer me one question." "What is that?" asked Sir Reginald eagerly. Is your past life such that you could dis- close to a pure-minded woman ? Is there nothing there which you would wish to hide? I do not profess to be superior to other men," said Sir Reginald, with an uneasv laugh. Ycu have compelled me to speak," cried Miss Goflin, who was now trembling with suppressed excitement. 1 would have spared you if I could. I confess that the feelings with which you first inspired me were those of sincere liking, and I thought it possible that in you I might find the companion and helper who would assist me to live my life; but I had begun to suspect that you had worn out every pure and noble feeling long before I met you. I did not condemn you even to myself on suspicion, I welcomed your society, hoping that my suspicion might be laid to rest. It was a forlorn hope. I have listened attentively to your lightest word. I have watched your every movement. I had the right to do so, not as your guest perhaps, but as the woman whom you were seeking to make your wife, and who if she had rushed on her fate blindfold would have accepted you for her husband. Alas, the result has been what I feared, not what I hoped. I have no wish to fathom the secrets of your life. What they are I cannot divine: but of this am confident, they are. not fit for a woman's ears who desires to retain her self-respect, and as I cannot share them I will not share the lot of the man whose they are." Never before had Sir Reginald felt «o awed Never before had Sir Reginald felt so awed in the presence of virtue. He cowered like a cur beneath the lash of Theresa Goffin. Without a traea of bitterness but with in- cisive manner she dealt out to him bitter home- truths which he could not help admitting to himself were just, and it was with a cur's whine that he next spoke. Pity me," he cried. "U nder your influ- ence the futnre may repair the past." It was the last straw that literally broke down Theresa Gofliu's patience. Her eyes. blazed in sudden wrathful contempt and her whole form dilated with the (corn that possessed her, 111 am not one of those women who believe that it is a woman's mission to reform a rake by marrying him," she said with freezing emphasis. And before Sir Reginald could recover from his surprise she swept past him and re-entered the room. Lady Polehampton was not slow to per- oeive that her plans had come to grief. She stole from her seat and joined Theresa, who sat panting with the violence of her emo- tions. What is the matter ? Tell me all," said Lady Polehampton anxiously. "Vo not ask me," Theresa replied. "I think I will go to my room. To-morrow I must leave Alverthorpe. I have offended Sir Reginald past forgiveness," she added, endea- vouring to speak lightly. H Nonsense. child. He will only be delighted to forgive you." Well, perhaps you are right; but then I should never forgve myself if I stayed," and with a hurried good-night Theresa stole from the room and the next day ltffc Alverthorpe behind her. CHAPTER X. There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple If the spirit have so fair a hou<e Good things will strive to dwell with't." The first ten days of Winifred's visit passed quiokly away in a continual round of sight- seeing and mountain-climbing—a delightful and invigorating change after the glare of hot, dusty streets and the close atmosphere of a London hospital. One day was given to a drive to Oban and

FRY'S PURE CONCENTRATED C 0 C 0 A. From W. H. STANLEY, M.D., 4c. ? II I oonsider it a very delicious Cooos. K is highly concentrated, and therefore econo- mical as a Family Food. It is the drink pmr excellence for Children, and gives no trouVV in making," ——— FARIS EXHIBITION, 1889, GOLD MEDAL AWARDED TO V J. S. FRY and SONS.

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thenoe through the desolate ravine which leads to the scene of the Massacre of Glenooo| Another day she visited Glenfinnan, where Charles Edward, the hapless prince of ( hapless line, raised the standard of rebellion in 1745 that ended so disastrously on the field of Culloden. Another trip was taken to Iona and the far-famed cave of Fingal at Staffa. With these, exceptions the excursions planned for Winin fred's benefit were away from the beaten traok of the tourist, and introduced her to scenes of awful grandeur and quiet beauty in unfre* quented haunts euoh as the ordinary tourjtf knows not of. But after a spell of holiday-making Claude insisted that his mother's guest should set about the improvement of her landscape. The shores of Looh Awe, with their multitudiuouf scenes of peaceful loveliness, furnished ampU praotising-ground for her earliest efforts] Afterwards barren heath and shaggy wood were laid under contribution. Claude Maolean proved a rigorous task- master. No slave-driver was ever morg exacting in requiring his tale of bricks, not any belle dressing for her first ball mor<( fastidious than he was in his demands, There is no genius like hard work," he used constantly to remind her, and Winifred smiled as she thought that .he meant her to prove au illustration of his favourite proverb, On wet days they spent many hours together in Claude's studio-a room thatonoe had formed a great state-chamber, but whioh, by the aid of the mason and the carpenter, had been converted into an admirable room for the purpose to which it was devotee Here Winifred was kept busy completing and touching up the work that had been begun in the open, and learnt many wrinkles from Claude in the mixing of her oolours. The evenings were given to conversation and music, Winifred aocompanying Claude's violit solos on the piano. Whilst they were thrown together con- stantly in this manner there were many opportunities for Claude to oarry on hit attaok upon Winifred's heart; but except from an occasional tenderness of manner and the ardent glance from his expressive eyes hd made no sign and Winifred's fears were lulled to rest. She made no attempt to analyse hot own feelings. Sinoe a new interest had bees awoke within her, or, to speak more correotly/ since an old interest had been revived witl( immeasurably greater strength, it may trul) be said that her one passion was for her art and her one dream to realise Claude'i prophecy of her future. But for all Claude's appearance of reserve on the subjeot that lay closest to his heart he was fully resolved that before Winifred's stay came to an end he would deolare his love, and that never with his consent should she leave Glen-Orloch Castle except as his pro. mised bride. It cost him something to restraifi himself, but he was thoroughly loyal to th< understanding arrived at with his mother thai he should not speak until she was able to OOlli firm his ohoioe. But there were oompensa. tions. To be for ever near the side of a beautiful woman who is sincerely loved, and with hope that love is returned, is blisi enough to an ardent lover though no word is spoken, and every day Claude discovered somf new charm in Winifred's manner and 10m,. new feature in her beauty to call up fresh admiration and to heighten his passion. It has been said that Claude, after follow- ing figure painting for some time, had aban- doned it for landscape. But the desire now possessed him to exoel in this branch of arl' also. With such a subject to work on al Winifred, he thought, no artist could fail id his work. One evening after dinner he was watching her as she recited to Lady Falcon- ridge an amusing adventure that ooourred to them when she was punting on Loch Awe, and as he gazed upon her, drinking in the sense of her beauty and noting the pure out- line of her face, the dainty pose of her queenly head, the superb ourves of her well- developed bust, and the soulptured roundnes. of her white arms revealed by her low-cut corsage he thought what a magnificent Heleq of Troy she would make! The next day Winifred consented to sit for him, and h4 began the task which was destined to bring him fresh fame, and a more serious check ty his hopes of winning Winifred for his Triffl than he dreamed of. It seemed as if love had given him greater strength and delicacy of touch, and he worked like one inspired. Matters were at this stage when the last week of Winifred's visit arrived. It was s bright, sunny morning at the end of August. Winifred was in her room preparing for a new expedition, while Lady Falconridge and Claude were paoing the broad terraoe at the front of the castle. Mother," he said, "I think the time his come to speak, and before we return to-day I purpose asking Winifred to be my wife." Lady Faloonridge looked anxiously at her son, and observing the firmly-set month and the flashing of his large eyes, she hesitated before deoiding whether she should attempt to dissuade him from his purpose. Claude. returned her glance, and, as her silence con- tinued, he remarked:—" You know, mother, why I mention this to you. When you told me of your intentiori to ask Winifred to Glen-Orloch you exacted from me a promise that I would not speak tQ her of my hopes until you had opportunities to know her better. I am more than de" lighted at the affection that evidently exists between you, and now I suppose I may go ia and win, if I can." -»t; it Yes, affeotion is not too strong a word fot you to use," said Lady Falconridge, speaking slowly. "I love Winifred very dearly, as dearly as I should have loved my owqf daughter if it had pleased Heaven to havq given me that blessing. But——and Lads Faloonridge paused with an evident look of embarrassment. But what, mother P" said Claude. Why do you hesitate? Is she not beautiful? What can you allege against her ?'' I;li « Nothing, Claude, nothing," returned Lacti Faloonridge, II Y ou uwst ttot leap to oo^« V: .? J