ector,
ignoring the nodding woman and her words, and confronting Lord Hartledon.
"Is it a light matter, think you, to gain a maiden's best love, and then
to desert her for a fresh face? You have been playing fast-and-loose for
some little time: and I gave you more than one opportunity of retiring,
if you so willed it--of openly retiring, you understand; not of doing so
in this secret, disreputable manner. Your conscience will prick you in
after-life, unless I am mistaken."

Val opened his lips, but the Rector put up his hand.

"A moment yet. That I am not endeavouring to recall Anne's claims on you
in saying this, I am sure you are perfectly aware, knowing me as you do.
I never deemed you worthy of her--you know that, Lord Hartledon; and you
never were so. Were you a free man at this moment, and went down on your
knees to implore me to give you Anne, I would not do it. You have
forfeited her; you have forfeited the esteem of all good men. But that
I am a Christian minister, I should visit your dishonour upon you as you
deserve."

"Will you cease?" raved the dowager; and Dr. Ashton wheeled round upon
her.

"There is less excuse for your past conduct, madam, than for his. You
have played on Lord Hartledon's known irresolution to mould him to your
will. I see now the aim of the letter you favoured me with at Cannes,
when you requested, with so much candour, that he might be left for a
time unfettered by any correspondence with Miss Ashton. Well, you have
obtained your ends. Your covetous wish that you and your daughter should
reign at Hartledon is on the point of being gratified. The honour of
marrying Lady Maude was intended both by you and her for the late Lord
Hartledon. Failing him, you transferred your hopes to the present one,
regardless of who suffered, or what hearts or honour might be broken in
the process."

"Will nobody put this disreputable parson outside?" raved the dowager.

"I do not seek to bring reproach home to you; let that, ladies, lie
between yourselves and conscience. I only draw your attention to the
facts; which have been sufficiently patent to the world, whatever Lord
Hartledon may think. And now I have said my say, and leave you; but I
declare that were I performing this burlesque of a marriage, as that
young clergyman is about to do, I should feel my prayers for the divine
blessing to attend it were but a vain mockery."

He turned to leave the chapel with quick steps, when Lord Hartledon,