composure I
presented in the course of half a minute. 'Let us take it for granted,'
says Sir Patrick, 'that this man unknown has really tried to deceive
Miss Silvester, as you and I suppose. I can tell you one thing: it's as
likely as not that, in trying to overreach _her,_ he may (without in the
least suspecting it) have ended in overreaching himself.'"

(Geoffrey held his breath. The pen dropped unheeded from his fingers. It
was coming. The light that his brother couldn't throw on the subject was
dawning on it at last!)

Blanche resumed:

"I was so interested, and it made such a tremendous impression on me,
that I haven't forgotten a word. 'I mustn't make that poor little head
of yours ache with Scotch law,' my uncle said; 'I must put it plainly.
There are marriages allowed in Scotland, Blanche, which are called
Irregular Marriages--and very abominable things they are. But they have
this accidental merit in the present case. It is extremely difficult for
a man to pretend to marry in Scotland, and not really to do it. And it
is, on the other hand, extremely easy for a man to drift into marrying
in Scotland without feeling the slightest suspicion of having done it
himself.' That was exactly what he said, Arnold. When _we_ are married,
it sha'n't be in Scotland!"

(Geoffrey's ruddy color paled. If this was true he might be caught
himself in the trap which he had schemed to set for Anne! Blanche went
on with her narrative. He waited and listened.)

"My uncle asked me if I understood him so far. It was as plain as the
sun at noonday, of course I understood him! 'Very well, then--now for
the application!' says Sir Patrick. 'Once more supposing our guess to be
the right one, Miss Silvester may be making herself very unhappy without
any real cause. If this invisible man at Craig Fernie has actually
meddled, I won't say with marrying her, but only with pretending to make
her his wife, and if he has attempted it in Scotland, the chances are
nine to one (though _he_ may not believe it, and though _she_ may not
believe it) that he has really married her, after all.' My uncle's own
words again! Quite needless to say that, half an hour after they were
out of his lips, I had sent them to Craig Fernie in a letter to Anne!"

(Geoffrey's stolidly-staring eyes suddenly brightened. A light of
the devil's own striking illuminated him. An idea of the devil's own
bringing entered his mind. He looked stealthily round at the man whose