next. Left alone with Randal, Mrs. Presty's anger,
under the complete overthrow of her carefully-laid scheme, set restraint
at defiance.

"My daughter's married life is a wreck," she burst out, pointing
theatrically to the door by which Linley and Sydney Westerfield had
retired. "And Catherine has the vile creature whom your brother picked
up in London to thank for it! Now do you understand me?"

"Less than ever," Randal answered--"unless you have taken leave of your
senses."

Mrs. Presty recovered the command of her temper.

On that fine morning her daughter might remain in the garden until the
luncheon-bell rang. Linley had only to say that he wished to speak with
his wife; and the private interview which he had so rudely insisted on
as his sole privilege, would assuredly take place. The one chance
left of still defeating him on his own ground was to force Randal
to interfere by convincing him of his brother's guilt. Moderation of
language and composure of manner offered the only hopeful prospect
of reaching this end. Mrs. Presty assumed the disguise of patient
submission, and used the irresistible influence of good humor and good
sense.

"I don't complain, dear Randal, of what you have said to me," she
replied. "My indiscretion has deserved it. I ought to have produced my
proofs, and have left it to you to draw the conclusion. Sit down, if you
please. I won't detain you for more than a few minutes."

Randal had not anticipated such moderation as this; he took the chair
that was nearest to Mrs. Presty. They were both now sitting with their
backs turned to the entrance from the library to the drawing-room.

"I won't trouble you with my own impressions," Mrs. Presty went on.
"I will be careful only to mention what I have seen and heard. If you
refuse to believe me, I refer you to the guilty persons themselves."

She had just got to the end of those introductory words when Mrs. Linley
returned, by way of the library, to fetch the forgotten parasol.

Randal insisted on making Mrs. Presty express herself plainly. "You
speak of guilty persons," he said. "Am I to understand that one of those
guilty persons is my brother?"

Mrs. Linley advanced a step and took the parasol from the table. Hearing
what Randal said, she paused, wondering at the strange allusion to her
husband. In the meanwhile, Mrs. Presty answered the question that had
been addressed to her.

"Yes," she said to Randal; "I mean your brother, and yo