returned Sir Patrick. "There is
no shame in shedding such tears as those. And there is nothing to be
done by leaving _me._"

"I must and will see her!"

"Read that," said Sir Patrick, pointing to the letter on the floor. "See
your wife? Your wife is with the woman who has written those lines. Read
them."

Arnold read them.

"DEAR SIR PATRICK,--If you had honored me with your confidence, I should
have been happy to consult you before I interfered to rescue Blanche
from the position in which Mr. Brinkworth has placed her. As it is, your
late brother's child is under my protection at my house in London. If
_you_ attempt to exercise your authority, it must be by main force--I
will submit to nothing less. If Mr. Brinkworth attempts to exercise
_his_ authority, he shall establish his right to do so (if he can) in a
police-court.

"Very truly yours, JULIA LUNDIE."

Arnold's resolution was not to be shaken even by this. "What do I care,"
he burst out, hotly, "whether I am dragged through the streets by
the police or not! I _will_ see my wife. I _will_ clear myself of the
horrible suspicion she has about me. You have shown me your letter. Look
at mine!"

Sir Patrick's clear sense saw the wild words that Blanche had written in
their true light.

"Do you hold your wife responsible for that letter?" he asked. "I see
her step-mother in every line of it. You descend to something unworthy
of you, if you seriously defend yourself against _this!_ You can't see
it? You persist in holding to your own view? Write, then. You can't get
to her--your letter may. No! When you leave this house, you leave it
with me. I have conceded something on my side, in allowing you to write.
I insist on your conceding something, on your side, in return. Come into
the library! I answer for setting things right between you and Blanche,
if you will place your interests in my hands. Do you trust me or not?"

Arnold yielded. They went into the library together. Sir Patrick pointed
to the writing-table. "Relieve your mind there," he said. "And let me
find you a reasonable man again when I come back."

When he returned to the library the letter was written; and Arnold's
mind was so far relieved--for the time at least.

"I shall take your letter to Blanche myself," said Sir Patrick, "by the
train that leaves for London in half an hour's time."

"You will let me go with you?"

"Not to-day. I shall be back this evening to dinner. You shall hear