the
riding-crop which trussed him, and held it under his nose. Her face
was white, but calm. She lifted the stick slowly to bring it across
his face, paused, and flung it on the floor.

"You tempt me to be as dirty as yourself," she said. "But one woman
has shown you mercy to-night, despising you. Think of that, George
Leicester."

The door opened again and Mr. Rogers nodded to us.

"Hallo!" he exclaimed, perceiving the riding-crop on the floor.

"He can't run," said Miss Belcher nonchalantly. "But he can stand
now, I fancy--and walk, if you loosen his legs a bit. He'll be
wanted for a witness, won't he?"

"You're all wanted." Mr. Rogers helped Leicester to stand and
slackened the bond about his ankles. "We'll tighten it again in the
next room, my friend. Stay a moment, Rector!" He pointed to the
wardrobe. The Rector went to it and unhitching a clean surplice
laid it across his arm. So we filed into the room where Isabel and
Archibald Plinlimmon awaited us.

They stood in the shadow of the window-curtains, talking together in
low tones: and by their attitudes she was vehemently pleading for a
favour which he as vehemently rejected. But when she caught him by
both hands he yielded, and they faced us together--she with her
beautiful face irradiated.

Miss Belcher stepped to her at once and kissed her; and across that
good lady's shoulder she cast one look at the prisoner, now being
shuffled into the room by Mr. Rogers. It was neither vindictive nor
recriminatory, but cheerful and calm with an utter scorn. I looked
nervously at Archibald Plinlimmon. His face was dusky red and sullen
with rage; but I noted with a leap of my heart that he, too, looked
Leicester squarely in the face: and from that moment (if a boy may
say so) I felt there was hope for him.

The Rector unfolded and donned the surplice. Isabel disengaged
herself from Miss Belcher's arms and, drawing off her ring, handed it
to her lover. Their eyes met, and hers were smiling bravely: but
they brimmed on a sudden as the tears sprang into his. And now I
felt that there was strong hope for him.

Thus I came to be present at their wedding. Indeed, the prisoner
claimed so much of Mr. Rogers's attention during the ceremony that
you might almost say I acted as groomsman.

CHAPTER XX.

ISABEL'S REVENGE.

When all was over, and the book signed, Isabel walked across to Mr.
Rogers and held out her hand.

"You have been a good f