he might be even now in her service.

Chapter XXI.

Nothing but Death Shall Break the Tie.

Sir William went directly back to New York, fired with something of hope
by Doctor Thornton's suggestions He determined to search the passenger
lists of the different steamer lines, hoping to find Virgie's name among
them.

He half believed that, armed with the strong proofs she had secured to
substantiate the legality of her marriage, she would go directly to
England to assert her position there as his wife.

He realized that underneath her habitual quiet and sweetness there lay a
dignity and strength of character that would stop at nothing legitimate to
remove the stigma she believed was resting on her fair name.

But while he gave her ample credit for resolution and energy, he did not
make allowance for the sensitive pride which had been crushed to the earth
by the cruel blow which had been dealt her. He did not stop to consider
that it would never allow her to force herself upon him as an unloved and
rejected wife when she believed a more fortunate rival stood in her way.

But he found nothing in any of the booking offices of the different
steamers to tell him that Virgie had sailed, or was intending to sail,
even though he haunted them daily for three or four weeks.

Almost discouraged at the end of that time, he cabled to his sister the
following message:

"I have missed my wife--perhaps crossed her path.
If she arrives at Heathdale, let me know at once."

Lady Linton was somewhat startled upon receiving this message, for it told
her that her brother had some reason for thinking that Virgie might be on
her way to Heathdale, and, remembering Mrs. Farnum's account of her
threats to claim her position, she began to fear that she had underrated
the girl's spirit, and that she might make her appearance at any moment
and demand to be received as the mistress of the house.

This, of course, would make matters rather complicated and awkward; but,
as long as her brother was not at home, she trusted to her own craft to
deal with her and make her only too glad to give Heathdale a wide berth
should she show herself there.

After cabling, Sir William went again to the Pacific coast, in the hope of
finding Chi Lu. He spent several weeks in San Francisco, thinking perhaps
those he sought might hope to lose themselves there among the multitude.

He thought right for once, had he but known it, and had he possess