and then I intend to leave him. He has killed my respect; I will not
live with him again. I can earn my living in Germany. I have done with
him; but, sir, do not you be hard upon him. It is a matter between me
and him. Let him not suffer on my account."

"My dear, pray confine yourself to your own affairs, and leave me to
settle mine. There shall be no harshness; nobody shall suffer more
than they deserve. There, don't break down, go and rest, for there are
painful scenes before you."

He rang the bell, and sent for the housekeeper. She came presently, a
pleasant-looking woman of about thirty years of age, with a comely
face and honest eyes.

"This lady, Pigott," said the old squire, addressing her, "is Mrs.
Philip Caresfoot, and you will be so kind as to treat her with all
respect. Don't open your eyes, but attend to me. For the present, you
had best put her in the red room, and attend to her yourself. Do you
understand?"

"Oh, yes, sir! I understand," Pigott replied, curtseying. "Will you be
pleased to come along with me, ma'am?"

Hilda rose and took Pigott's arm. Excitement and fatigue had worn her
out. Before she went, however, she turned, and with tears in her eyes
thanked the old man for his kindness to a friendless woman.

The hard eyes grew kindly as he stooped and kissed the broad, white
brow, and said in his stately way--

"My dear, as yet I have shown you nothing but the courtesy due to a
lady. Should I live, I hope to bestow on you the affection I owe to a
much-wronged daughter. Good-by."

And thus they parted, little knowing where they should meet again.

"A woman I respect--well, English or German, the blood will tell"--he
said as soon as the door had closed. "Poor thing--poor Maria too. The
scoundrel!--ah! there it is again;" and he pressed his hand to his
heart. "This business has upset me, and no wonder."

The pang passed, and sitting down he wrote a letter that evidently
embarrassed him considerably, and addressed it to Miss Lee. This he
put in the post-box, and then, going to a secretaire, he unlocked it,
and taking out a document he began to puzzle over it attentively.

Presently Simmons announced that Mr. Bellamy was waiting.

"Show him in at once," said the old man briskly.

CHAPTER XI

It was some minutes past seven that evening when the lawyer left, and
he had not been gone a quarter of an hour before a hired gig drove up
to the door containing