way. You know you have often said
that your father would cut you out of his will if you compromised
yourself and him like that."

"Oh, yes, he would. I am sure of it. He would never forgive the
scandal; he has a hatred of that sort of thing. But I could get a few
thousands ready money, and we could change our names and go off to a
colony or something."

"It is very good of you to say so," she said humbly. "I don't deserve
it, and I will not take advantage of you. You will be sorry that you
made the offer by to-morrow. Ah, yes, I know it is only because I
cried. No, we must go on as we are until the end comes, and then you
can discard me; for all the blame will follow me, and I shall deserve
it, too. I am older than you, you know, and a woman; and my husband
will make some money out of you, and then it will all be forgotten,
and I shall have had my day and go my own way to oblivion, like
thousands of other unfortunate women before me, and it will be all the
same a hundred years hence, don't you see? But, Edward, remember one
thing. Don't play me any tricks, for I am not of the sort to bear it.
Have patience and wait for the end; these things cannot last very
long, and I shall never be a burden on you. Don't desert me or make me
jealous, for I cannot bear it, I cannot, indeed, and I do not know
what I might do--make a scandal or kill myself or you, I'm sure I
can't say what. You nearly sent me wild the other day when you were
carrying on with Miss de la Molle--ah, yes, I saw it all--I have
suspected you for a long time, and sometimes I think that you are
really in love with her. And now, sir, I tell you what it is, we have
had enough of this melancholy talk to last me for a month. Why did you
come here at all this morning, just when I wanted to get you out of my
head for an hour or two and think about my garden? I suppose it was a
trick of Mr. Quest's bringing you here. He has got some fresh scheme
on, I am sure of it from his face. Well, it can't be helped, and,
since you are here, Mr. Edward Cossey, tell me how you like my new
dress," and she posed herself and courtesied before him. "Black, you
see, to match my sins and show off my complexion. Doesn't it fit
well?"

"Charmingly," he said, laughing in spite of himself, for he felt in no
laughing mood, "and now I tell you what it is, Belle, I am not going
to stop here all the morning, and lunch, and that sort of thing. It
does not look well, to say the least of it. Th