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498 His wife was less credulous, and to a certain degree comforted him; but that evening he received a letter which greatly confirmed the suspicions set on foot by Mrs. Proudie, and even shook his wife's faith in Lord Dumbello. It was from a mere acquaintance, who in the ordinary course of things would not have written to him. And the bulk of the letter referred to ordinary things, as to which the gentleman in question would hardly have thought of giving himself the trouble to write a letter. But at the end of the note he said:

"Of course you are aware that Dumbello is off to Paris; I have not heard whether the exact day of his return is fixed."

"It is true, then," said the archdeacon, striking the library table with his hand, and becoming absolutely white about the mouth and jaws.

"It can not be," said Mrs. Grantly; but even she was now trembling.

"If it be so, I'll drag him back to England by the collar of his coat, and disgrace him before the steps of his father's hall."

And the archdeacon, as he uttered the threat, looked his character as an irate British father much better than he did his other character as a clergyman of the Church of England. The archdeacon had been greatly worsted by Mrs. Proudie, but he was a man who knew how to fight his battles among men—sometimes without too close a regard to his cloth.

"Had Lord Dumbello intended any such thing, he would have written, or got some friend to write by this time," said Mrs. Grantly. "It is quite possible that he might wish to be off, but he would be too chary of his name not to endeavor to do so with decency."

Thus the matter was discussed, and it appeared to them both to be so serious that the archdeacon resolved to go at once to London. That Lord Dumbello had gone to France he did not doubt; but he would find some one in town acquainted with the young man's intentions, and he would, no doubt, be able to hear when his return was expected. If there were real reason for apprehension, he would follow the runagate to the Continent, but he would not do this without absolute knowledge. According to Lord Dumbello's present engagements, he was bound to present