room to run away in, but could not, it was fascinated, and
sat still and screamed. At last the snake struck it, and I thought
that its eyes looked like yours. I am as helpless as that poor animal,
and you are much more cruel than the snake. And yet my mind is
infinitely stronger than your own in every way. I cannot understand
it. What is the source of your power over me? But I am quite reckless
now, so what does it matter? I will do anything that does not put me
within reach of the law. You know that my husband is dead. I _knew_
that he would die; he expired with my name upon his lips. The child,
too, I hear, died in a fit of croup; the nurse had gone out, and there
was no one to look after it. Upon my word, I may well be reckless, for
there is no forgiveness for such as you and I. As for little B----, as
I think I told you, I will lead him on and marry him: at any rate, I
will make his fortune for him: I _must_ devote myself to something,
and ambition is more absorbing than anything else--at least, I shall
rise to something great. Good-night; I don't know which aches most, my
head or my heart.'

"Now that extract would be interesting reading to Bellamy, would it
not?"

Here she suddenly sprang forward and snatched at the letter. But
George was too quick for her; he flung it into the safe by his side,
and swung the heavy lid to.

"No, no, my dear Anne, that property is too valuable to be parted with
except for a consideration."

Her attempt frustrated, she dropped back into her chair.

"What are you torturing me for?" she asked, hoarsely. "Have you any
object in dragging up the ghost of that dead past, or is it merely for
amusement."

"Did I not tell you that I had a favour to ask of you, and wished to
get you into a proper frame of mind first?"

"A favour. You mean that you have some wickedness in hand that you are
too great a coward to execute yourself. Out with it; I know you too
well to be shocked."

"Oh, very well. You saw Angela Caresfoot, Philip's daughter, here
yesterday."

"Yes, I saw her."

"Very good. I mean to marry her, and you must manage it for me."

Lady Bellamy sat quite still, and made no answer.

"You will now," continued George, relieved to find that he had not
provoked the outburst he had expected, "understand why I read you
those extracts. I am thoroughly determined upon marrying that girl at
whatever cost, and I see very clearly that I shall not be able to do
so without your help