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CHAPTER XV.

AN   END  AND  A  BEGINNING.

When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England,
he had to undergo much questioning concerning
his dealings with Stafford. It had somehow
become known throughout the little group of
people interested in Stafford's abortive love-
affair that he and Ayre had held conference
together, and the impression was that Ayre's
counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped
Stafford's resolution and conduct. Ayre did
not talk freely on the matter. He fenced with
the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he
calmed Mrs. Lane's solicitude with soothing
words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at
the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.
To Eugene he spoke more openly, and did
not hesitate to congratulate himself on the
part he had taken in reconciling Stafford to
life and work. Eugene cordially agreed with
his point of view; and Ayre felt that he was
in a fair way to be rid of the matter, when
one day Claudia sprang upon him with a new
assault.

He had come to see her, and tender hearty
congratulations.    He  felt  that  the successful