foppishly dressed, standing upon the
hearthrug in front of the open fire. Rochester was there with Pauline,
and Lady Mary was seated behind the tea-tray. There was a little
chorus as the two entered. Lois went straight to Saton, who held out
his hands.

"Dear Lois," he said softly, "I could not keep away to-day. I have
been waiting for you, waiting for nearly an hour."

"I know," she answered. "I came as soon as I knew."

CHAPTER XXXVI

THE CHARLATAN UNMASKED

There seemed for the next few minutes to be a somewhat singular
abstention from any desire to interfere with the two people who stood
in the centre of the little group, hand-in-hand. Saton, after his
first speech, and after Lois had given him her hands, had turned a
little defiantly toward Rochester, who remained, however, unmoved,
his elbow resting upon the broad mantelpiece, his face almost
expressionless. Vandermere, too, stood on one side and held his peace,
though the effort with which he did so was a visible one. Lady Mary
looked anxiously towards them. Pauline had shrunk back, as though
something in the situation terrified her.

Even Saton himself felt that it was the silence before the storm. The
courage which he had summoned up to meet a storm of disapproval, began
to ebb slowly away in the face of this unnatural silence. It was clear
that the onus of further speech was to rest with him.

Still retaining Lois' hand, he turned toward Rochester.

"You have forbidden me to enter your house, or to hold any
communication with your ward until she was of age, Mr. Rochester," he
said. "One of your conditions I have obeyed. With regard to the other,
I have done as I thought fit. However, to-day she is her own
mistress. She has consented to be my wife. I do not need to ask for
your consent or approval. If you are not willing that she should be
married from your roof, I can take her at once to the Comtesse, who is
prepared to receive her."

"A very pleasant little arrangement," Rochester said, speaking for the
first time. "I am afraid, however, that you will have to alter your
plans."

"I do not admit your right to interfere in them," Saton answered. "If
you continue your opposition to my marriage with your ward, I shall
take her away with me this afternoon."

Rochester shook his head.

"I think not," he answered.

"Then we shall see," Saton declared. "Lois, come with me. It does not
matter about your hat. Your things can be sent on afterw