with every wickedness, with that of the splendid creature you would
defile. Do you suppose that a woman such as she will ever be really
faithless to her love, even though you trap her into marriage? Fool,
her heart is as far above you as the stars; and without a heart a
woman is a husk that none but such miserables as yourself would own.
But go on--dash yourself against a white purity that will, in the end,
blind and destroy you. Dree your own doom! I will find you expedients;
it is my business to obey you. You shall marry her, if you will, and
taste of the judgment that will follow. Be still, I will bear no more
of your insolence to-day." And she swept out of the room, leaving
George looking somewhat scared.

When Lady Bellamy reached Rewtham House, she went straight to her
husband's study. He received her with much politeness, and asked her
to sit down.

"I have come to consult you on a matter of some importance," she said.

"That is, indeed, an unusual occurrence," answered Sir John, rubbing
his dry hands and smiling.

"It is not my own affair: listen," and she gave him a full, accurate,
and clear account of all that had taken place with reference to
George's determination to marry Angela, not omitting the most trivial
detail. Sir John expressed no surprise; he was a very old bird was Sir
John, one for whom every net was spread in vain, whether in or out of
his sight. Nothing in this world, provided that it did not affect his
own comfort or safety, could affect his bland and appreciative smile.
He was never surprised. Once or twice he put a shrewd question to
elucidate some point in the narrative, and that was all. When his wife
was finished, he said,

"Well, Anne, you have told a very interesting and amusing little
history, doubly so, if you will permit me to say it, seeing that it is
told of George Caresfoot by Lady Bellamy; but it seems that your joint
efforts have failed. What is it that you wish me to do?"

"I wish to ask you if you can suggest any plan that will not fail. You
are very cunning in your way, and your advice may be good."

"Let me see, young Heigham is in Madeira, is he not?"

"I am sure I do not know."

"But I do," and he extracted a note-book from a drawer. "Let me see, I
think I have an entry somewhere here. Ah! here we are. 'Arthur P.
Heigham, Esq., passenger, per _Warwick Castle_, to Madeira, June 16.'
(Copied from passenger-list, _Western Daily News_.) His second name is
Preston,