her talk. At the
door he shook hands with her, and said that he was going into the town.

Lilian opened the door of the sitting-room.

"He has gone?"

Her companion nodded.

"Where?--What will he do?"

Mrs. Wade answered with a gesture of uncertainty, and sat down by the
table, where she propped her forehead upon her hands. Lilian was
standing, her countenance that of one distraught. Suddenly the widow
looked up and spoke in a voice hoarser than before.

"I see what he means. He enjoys keeping you both at his mercy. It's
like an animal that has tasted blood--and if his desire is balked,
he'll revenge himself in the other way."

"You think he has gone to Denzil?"

"Very likely. If not to-night, he will to-morrow. Will Mr. Quarrier pay
him again, do you think?" She put the question in a tone which to
Lilian sounded strange, all but hostile.

"I can't say," was the weary, distracted answer.

"Oh, I am sorry for you, Lilian!" pursued the other, in agitation,
though again her voice was curiously harsh. "You will reproach yourself
so if his life's purpose is frustrated! But remember, it's not your
fault. It was he who took the responsibility from the first. It was he
who chose to brave this possible danger. If the worst comes, you must
strengthen yourself."

Lilian sank upon a chair, and leaned forward with stupefied gaze at the
speaker.

"The danger is," pursued Mrs. Wade, in lower tones, "that he may be
unjust--feel unjustly--as men are wont to. You--in spite of himself, he
may feel that _you_ have been the cause of his failure. You must be
prepared for that; I tell it you in all kindness. If he again consents
to pay Northway, he will be in constant fear. The sense of servitude
will grow intolerable--embarrassing all he tries to do--all his public
and private life. In that case, too, he _must_ sometimes think of you
as in the way of his ambition. A most difficult task is before you--a
duty that will tax all your powers. You will be equal to it, I have no
doubt. Just now you see everything darkly and hopelessly, but that's
because your health has suffered of late."

"Perhaps this very night," said Lilian, without looking at her
companion, "he will tell people."

"He is more likely to succeed in getting money, and then he will keep
the threat held over you. He seems to have come at this moment just
because he knows that your fear of him will be keenest now. That will
always be his aim--to appear with his th