was preposterous. Her father was as well known on 'Change as
Rothschild was in London. Her mother's funeral had been attended by
the wealth and fashion of Montreal, and since that time Lillian had
been the acknowledged belle of the set commonly known as "the upper
ten." The letter being written in rather extravagant terms, he
imagined it to contain the incoherent ravings of a maniac, and his
first impulse was to toss it aside. On the arrival of the English
mail, however, he received letters from his friends, couched in terms
of the deepest anxiety, urging him to sever all connection with the
D'Alton family if he did not wish to alienate himself completely
from all his family and friends. These letters led him to think more
seriously concerning the communication from Toronto, and being
determined, come what might, to know the worst at once, he started
immediately for Mr. D'Alton's residence, only to find that the
gentleman in question had just that moment departed for his office.

Lillian was at home, however, and she rushed downstairs impetuously
to meet her affianced husband. He received her as usual, but there
was a cloud on his brow as he followed her into her boudoir, where
they frequently spent hours together. He questioned her concerning
her aunt and her relations generally, but Lillian knew little more
than that her aunt resided in Toronto, and was generally considered
to be what is called "flighty."

This somewhat reassured Trevelyan, and he dismissed the subject for
a time from his mind. He determined, however, to clear the matter up,
and so in the evening he called to see Mr. D'Alton, requesting a few
words with him in private. The two men entered the study, and
Trevelyan led off by saying:--"I have received a strange
communication from your sister-in-law, Miss Wilson; from what