with fear.
Her cloak was tied loosely about her shoulders, and at sight of Sir
Marmaduke she started, then rising hurriedly, she put her hood over her
head, and went towards the door.

"Ah! my dear Editha!" quoth her brother-in-law, lightly greeting her,
"up betimes like the lark I see.... Are you going without?" he added as
she made a rapid movement to brush past him and once more made for the
door.

"Yes!" she replied dully, "I must fain move about ... tire myself out
if I can ... I am consumed with anxiety."

"Indeed?" he retorted blandly, "why should you be anxious? Everything is
going splendidly ... and to-night at the latest a fortune of nigh on
L500,000 will be placed in my hands by a fond and adoring woman."

He caught the glitter in her eyes, that suggestion of power and of
unspoken threats which she had adopted since the episode in the Bath
Street house. For an instant an ugly frown further disfigured his sour
face: but this frown was only momentary, it soon gave way to a suave
smile. He took her hand and lightly touched it with his lips.

"After which, my dear Editha," he said, "I shall be able to fulfill
those obligations, which my heart originally dictated."

She seemed satisfied at this assurance, for she now spoke in less
aggressive tones:

"Are you so sure of the girl, Marmaduke?" she asked.

"Absolutely," he replied, his thoughts reverting to a day spent at Dover
nearly three months ago, when a knot was tied of which fair Editha was
not aware, but which rendered Sir Marmaduke de Chavasse very sure of a
fortune.

"Yet you have oft told me that Sue's love for her mysterious prince had
vastly cooled of late!" urged Editha still anxiously.

"Why yes! forsooth!" he retorted grimly, "Sue's sentimental fancy for
the romantic exile hath gone the way of all such unreasoning
attachments; but she has ventured too far to draw back.... And she will
not draw back," he concluded significantly.

"Have a care, Marmaduke! ... the girl is more willful than ye wot of....
You may strain at a cord until it snap."

"Pshaw!" he said, with a shrug of his wide shoulders, "you are suffering
from vapors, my dear Editha ... or you would grant me more knowledge of
how to conduct mine own affairs.... Do you remember, perchance, that the
bulk of Sue's fortune will be handed over to her this day?"

"Aye! I remember!"

"Begad, then to-night I'll have that bulk out of her hands. You may take
an oath on that!" he declar