de to assume their right name."

"I find that Mrs. Berdmore left her husband some years before he
died. There was nothing in that to create wonder, for he was a man
with whom a woman could hardly continue to live. But I fear she left
him under protection that was injurious to her character."

"And how long ago is that?"

"I do not know. Some years before his death."

"And how long ago did he die?"

"About three years since. My informant tells me that he believes she
has since married. Now you know all that I know." And Belton also
knew that Mrs. Askerton of the cottage was the Miss Vigo with whom he
had been acquainted in earlier years.

After that they dined comfortably, and nothing passed between them
which need be recorded as essential to our story till the time came
for them to part. Then, when they were both standing at the club
door, the lawyer said a word or two which is essential. "So you're
off to-morrow?" said he.

"Yes; I shall go down by the express."

"I wish you a pleasant journey. By-the-by, I ought to tell you that
you won't have any trouble in being either father or mother, or uncle
or aunt to Miss Amedroz."

"Why not?"

"I suppose it's no secret."

"What's no secret?"

"She's going to be married to Captain Aylmer."

Then Will Belton started so violently, and assumed on a sudden so
manifest a look of anger, that his tale was at once told to Mr.
Green. "Who says so?" he asked. "I don't believe it."

"I'm afraid it's true all the same, Will."

"Who says it?"

"Captain Aylmer was with me to-day, and he told me. He ought to be
good authority on such a subject."

"He told you that he was going to marry Clara Amedroz?"

"Yes, indeed."

"And what made him come to you, to tell you?"

"There was a question about some money which he had paid to her, and
which, under existing circumstances, he thought it as well that he
should not pay. Matters of that kind are often necessarily told to
lawyers. But I should not have told it to you, Will, if I had not
thought that it was good news."

"It is not good news," said Belton moodily.

"At any rate, old fellow, my telling it will do no harm. You must
have learned it soon." And he put his hand kindly,--almost tenderly,
on the other's arm. But Belton moved himself away angrily. The wound
had been so lately inflicted that he could not as yet forgive the
hand that had seemed to strike him.

"I'm sorry that it should be so bad with you, Will."