re folding-doors between this room and the next--screened by
curtains. The doors had been partly opened, and I slipped into the space
between them. I was covered by the curtain, and I could not hear all
that was said, because I had sounds from the other room in my ears as
well; but I heard a great deal, and I made up my mind to tell you there
and then. If I had not seen my husband that night you would have heard
my story before you slept."

Caspar Brooke's next question took her by surprise. He swung round on
one heel, so that his back was almost turned to her, and flung the words
over his shoulder with savage bitterness.

"What business had you to listen to my daughter's conversation with her
friends?"

This was a distinctly ungrateful speech, and Mrs. Trent felt it so. But
she replied, quietly--

"Miss Lesley's been kinder to me than any one I ever knew. And I had
suffered a good deal from Oliver Trent's wicked falseness. He is my
brother-in-law, as the law puts it, and I don't want to have any quarrel
with him: but he shall do no more harm than I can help."

By the time she had finished her speech Caspar had recovered himself a
little.

"You are quite right," he said, "and you have done me a service for
which I thank you. I don't for a moment suppose that my daughter is not
capable of taking care of herself. But other people are interested
beside Lesley. Miss Kenyon's brother is one of my closest friends, and I
should be very treacherous if I allowed her to marry this man, Oliver
Trent, after all that I have heard about him to-night--if it be true. I
don't want to throw doubt on your testimony, Mrs. Trent, but I suppose I
must have some further proof."

"Miss Lesley could tell you----"

"I shall not ask Miss Lesley, unless I am obliged. Did you not yourself
beg me to spare her? This other story of his heartless conduct to your
sister is quite enough to damn him in every right-minded woman's eyes. I
shall speak to him myself--I will have the truth from his own lips if I
have to wring it out by main force," said Caspar speaking more to
himself than to Mary Trent, and quite unaware how truculent an
appearance he presented at that moment to that quiet woman's eyes.

She smiled stealthily to herself. She had a great faith in Caspar
Brooke's powers for good or evil. To have him upon her side made her
support with equanimity the thought that she and Francis might suffer if
Oliver did not marry a rich wife. _He_ w