r Cossey has informed me that he proposes to
put the mortgage bonds in the fire before his marriage."

"Indeed," said Mr. Quest; "well, he could hardly do less, could he?
Altogether, I think you ought to be congratulated, Mr. de la Molle. It
is not often that a man gets such a chance of clearing the
encumbrances off a property. And now I am very sorry, but I must be
getting home, as I promised my wife to be back for luncheon. As the
thing is to be kept quiet, I suppose that it would be premature for me
to offer my good wishes to Miss de la Molle."

"Yes, yes, don't say anything about it at present. Well, good-bye."

CHAPTER XXVI

BELLE PAYS A VISIT

Mr. Quest got into his dog-cart and drove homewards, full of feelings
which it would be difficult to describe.

The hour of his revenge was come. He had played his cards and he had
won the game, and fortune with it, for his enemy lay in the hollow of
his hand. He looked behind him at the proud towers of the Castle,
reflecting as he did so, that in all probability they would belong to
him before another year was over his head. At one time he had
earnestly longed to possess this place, but now this was not so much
the object of his desire. What he wanted now was the money. With
thirty thousand pounds in his hand he would, together with what he
had, be a rich man, and he had already laid his plans for the future.
Of Edith he had heard nothing lately. She was cowed, but he well knew
that it was only for a while. By-and-by her rapacity would get the
better of her fear and she would recommence her persecutions. This
being so, he came to a determination--he would put the world between
them. Once let him have this money in his hand and he would start his
life afresh in some new country; he was not too old for it, and he
would be a rich man, and then perhaps he might get rid of the cares
which had rendered so much of his existence valueless. If Belle would
go with him, well and good--if not, he could not help it. If she did
go, there must be a reconciliation first, for he could not any longer
tolerate the life they lived.

In due course he reached the Oaks and went in. Luncheon was on the
table, at which Belle was sitting. She was, as usual, dressed in
black, and beautiful to look on; but her round babyish face was pale
and pinched, and there were black lines beneath her eyes.

"I did not know that you were coming ba