was insolent, as all ignorant people are. I
showed no resentment, I deferred quarrelling with him till it was
necessary to quarrel to some purpose. My next proceeding was to leave
Blackwater myself. I had my London residence to take in anticipation
of coming events. I had also a little business of the domestic sort to
transact with Mr. Frederick Fairlie. I found the house I wanted in St.
John's Wood. I found Mr. Fairlie at Limmeridge, Cumberland.

My own private familiarity with the nature of Marian's correspondence
had previously informed me that she had written to Mr. Fairlie,
proposing, as a relief to Lady Glyde's matrimonial embarrassments, to
take her on a visit to her uncle in Cumberland. This letter I had
wisely allowed to reach its destination, feeling at the time that it
could do no harm, and might do good. I now presented myself before Mr.
Fairlie to support Marian's own proposal--with certain modifications
which, happily for the success of my plans, were rendered really
inevitable by her illness. It was necessary that Lady Glyde should
leave Blackwater alone, by her uncle's invitation, and that she should
rest a night on the journey at her aunt's house (the house I had in St.
John's Wood) by her uncle's express advice. To achieve these results,
and to secure a note of invitation which could be shown to Lady Glyde,
were the objects of my visit to Mr. Fairlie. When I have mentioned
that this gentleman was equally feeble in mind and body, and that I let
loose the whole force of my character on him, I have said enough. I
came, saw, and conquered Fairlie.

On my return to Blackwater Park (with the letter of invitation) I found
that the doctor's imbecile treatment of Marian's case had led to the
most alarming results. The fever had turned to typhus. Lady Glyde, on
the day of my return, tried to force herself into the room to nurse her
sister. She and I had no affinities of sympathy--she had committed the
unpardonable outrage on my sensibilities of calling me a spy--she was a
stumbling-block in my way and in Percival's--but, for all that, my
magnanimity forbade me to put her in danger of infection with my own
hand. At the same time I offered no hindrance to her putting herself
in danger. If she had succeeded in doing so, the intricate knot which I
was slowly and patiently operating on might perhaps have been cut by
circumstances. As it was, the doctor interfered and she was kept out
of the room.

I