yes at the woman whose presence
she found almost as terrifying as the presence of Saton himself.

"My son--I call Bertrand my son," she said, "because I have adopted
him, and because everything I have, even my name if he will have
it--will be his--my son, then, tells me that he has not seen you for
several days."

"It is very difficult," Lois said, trembling.

"Why?" Rachael asked.

"My guardian, Mr. Rochester, does not allow Bertrand to come to the
house," Lois said, hesitatingly, "and Lady Mary tries not to let me
come out alone."

Rachael nodded her head slowly, her eyes glittered in the firelight.
Wrapped in her black shawl, she looked like some quaint
effigy--something scarcely human.

"Your guardian and his wife," she said, "are foolish, ignorant people.
They do not understand such men as Bertrand. You will understand him,
child. You will know him better when he is your husband, know him
better, and be proud of him. Is it not so?"

"I--I suppose so," Lois said.

"I am glad that you came this afternoon," Rachael continued. "Bertrand
and I have been talking. We think it well that you should be married
very soon."

"I am not of age," Lois said, breathlessly.

"It does not matter," Rachael declared. "Your guardian can keep back
your money, but that is of no consequence. It will come to you in
time, and Bertrand has plenty himself. I am afraid that they might try
and tempt you to be faithless to my son. You are very young and
impressionable, and though I do not doubt but that you are fond of
him, it is not easy to be faithful when you are alone, and with such
people as Mr. Rochester and Lady Mary. I am going to London in a few
days. I think it would be well if you went with me. Bertrand could get
a special license, and you could be married at once."

"No!" she shrieked. "No! No!"

Rachael said nothing. Her lips moved, but no sound came. Only her eyes
flashed unutterable things.

Upon the somewhat hysterical silence came the sound of Saton's
voice--cold, decisive.

"Lois," he said, "what my mother has advised would make me very happy.
Will you remember that I wish it? Will you remember that?"

"Yes!" she faltered.

"I shall make you a good husband," he added, coming a little nearer to
her, sinking on one knee by her side, and taking her cold, unresisting
hands into his. "I shall make you a good husband, and I think that you
will be happy. We cannot go on like this. I only see you now by
stealth. I