t must come to an end."

"Yes!" she faltered.

"Next time we meet," he continued, "I will tell you what plans we have
made."

She turned her head slowly, and looked at him with frightened,
wide-open eyes.

"Why?" she asked. "Why do you want me to marry you? You do not care
for me. You do not care for me at all. Is it because I am rich? But
you--you are rich yourselves. I would offer you my money, but you
cannot want that."

He smiled enigmatically.

"No!" he said. "Money is a good thing, but we have money ourselves.
Don't you believe, Lois," he added, bending towards her, "that I am
fond of you?"

"Oh! yes," she answered, "if you say so!"

"Of course I say so!" he declared. "I am very fond of you indeed, or I
should not want to marry you. Come, I think that you had better say
good-bye to my mother now. Your friend outside will be tired of
waiting."

She rose to her feet, and he led her from the room. They walked down
the field side by side, and Lois felt her knees trembling. She was
white as a sheet, and once she was obliged to clutch his arm for
support. As they neared the gate, they saw that Vandermere was talking
to someone on horseback. Saton's face darkened as he recognised the
tall figure. His first impulse was to stop, but with Lois by his side
he saw at once that it was impossible. With the courage that waits
upon the inevitable, he opened the gate and passed out into the lane.

"Good afternoon, Miss Champneyes!" he said, holding out his hand. "It
was very good of you to come in and visit the Comtesse. She is always
so glad indeed to see you."

The girl's fingers lay for a moment icy cold within his. Then she
turned with a little breath of relief to Vandermere. They walked off
together.

Rochester signalled with his whip to Saton to wait for a moment. As
soon as the other two were out of earshot, he leaned down from his
saddle.

"My young friend," he said, "it seems to me that you are wilfully
disregarding my warning."

"I was not aware," Saton answered, "that Miss Champneyes was a
prisoner in your house, nor do I see how I am to be held responsible
for her call upon the Comtesse."

"We will not bandy words," Rochester said. "I have no wish to quarrel
with you, but I want you always to remember the things which I have
said. Lois Champneyes is very nearly of age, it is true, but she
remains a child by disposition and temperament. As her guardian, I
want you to understand that I forbid you t