e
had, for the moment, yielded to her impulses.

"You think she has all along been unhappy?"

"No, nothing of the kind. But when we have been speaking of the
position of women--that kind of thing--I have noticed something
strange--an anxiety. I was only going to say that, after having
succeeded thus far, it seems a pity to lose everything when a little
prudence."

She waved her hand.

"Do you believe," Denzil asked, "that his story of finding her by mere
chance is true?"

"Lilian tells me that only your most intimate friend shared the secret."

"Glazzard? Of course _he_ has nothing to do with it. But some one else
may have"----

He walked apart, brooding. Mrs. Wade seated herself, and became
thoughtful.

"What sort of a fellow is this?" Quarrier asked, of a sudden.

"It depends who is dealing with him," she answered, meeting his look
with eyes full of sympathetic expression. "I read him at once, and
managed him. He is too weak for serious villainy. He doesn't seem to
have thought of extorting money from you. Lilian was his only object.
He would have taken her away by force."

"Come--we mustn't lose time."

"Mr. Quarrier, do be calm, and let us talk before we go. She is quite
safe. And as for Northway, I am perfectly sure that you can keep him
silent."

"You think it possible?"

"If you will consent to follow in the path I have prepared. I have
taken no small trouble."

She looked up at him and smiled.

"You have behaved like a true friend, Mrs. Wade--it is no more than I
should have expected of you. But what have you planned? Think how this
secret has already spread--what hope is there of finally hushing it up?
Glazzard and you would never breathe a syllable; but how, short of
manslaughter, could I assure the silence of a blackguard like this
Northway? If I let him blackmail me, I am done for: I should be like
the fools in plays and novels, throwing half my possessions away, and
all in vain."

"Pray remember," urged the other, "that this Northway is by no means
the rascal of melodrama. He has just enough brains to make him
conceited, and is at the disposal of any one who plays upon his
conceit. With much trouble I induced him to regard you as a source of
profit." She broke off and seemed to falter. "I think you won't find
fault with me, Mr. Quarrier, for trying to do this?"

"You did it ill the friendliest spirit."

"And not indiscreetly, I hope." She looked at him for a moment, and
continued: