then in a single second it seemed to freeze. Next moment he spoke with
overpowering politeness.

"So, madam; then I have to congratulate myself on the possession of a
very lovely daughter-in-law."

A silence ensued that they were both too moved to break; at last, the
old man said, in an altered tone:

"We have much to talk of, and you must be tired. Take off your cloak,
and eat whilst I think."

She obeyed him, and he saw that not only was she his son's wife, but
that she must before long present the world with an heir to the name
of Caresfoot. This made him think the more; but meanwhile he continued
to attend to her wants. She ate little, but calmly.

"That woman has nerve," said he to himself.

Then he rang the bell, and bade Simmons wait till he had written a
note.

"Send James to Roxham at once with this. Take this lady's things off
the fly, and put them in the red bedroom. By the way, I am at home to
nobody except Mr. Bellamy;" and then, turning to Hilda, "Now, if you
will come into my study, we will continue our chat," and he offered
her his arm. "Here we are secure from interruption," he said, with a
ghost of a smile. "Take this chair. Now, forgive my impertinence, but
I must ask you if I am to understand that you are my son's _legal_
wife?"

She flushed a little as she answered:

"Sir, I am. I have been careful to bring the proof; here it is;" and
she took from a little hand-bag a certified copy of the register of
her marriage, and gave it to him. He examined it carefully through his
gold eye-glass, and handed it back.

"Perfectly in order. Hum! some eight months since, I see. May I ask
why I am now for the first time favoured with a sight of this
interesting document--in short, why you come down, like an angel from
the clouds, and reveal yourself at the present moment?"

"I have come," she answered, "because of these." And she handed him
two letters. "I have come to ascertain if they are true; if my husband
is a doubly perjured or a basely slandered man."

He read the two anonymous letters. With the contents of the first we
are acquainted; the second merely told of the public announcement of
Philip's engagement.

"Speak," she said, with desperate energy, the calm of her face
breaking up like ice before a rush of waters. "You must know
everything; tell me my fate!"

"Girl, these villanous letters are in every particular true. You have
married in my son the biggest scoundrel in the county. I