I wonder?" whispered Abel Force to
his wife.

The lady shook her head.

"I have given it up," she replied.

Mrs. Force went upstairs, to send little Elva down to her breakfast, and
to sit beside Odalite.

Mr. Force went into the little den at the back of the hall, where he kept
his writing desk and account books and held interviews with his overseer
or his attorney.

CHAPTER XXVII

CONFIRMATION FROM ST. SEBASTIAN

"I am going to ride over to Greenbushes this morning, sir; can I do
anything for you before I go?" inquired Leonidas, entering the sanctum
where the master of the house sat writing at his desk.

"My dear boy, is it absolutely necessary that you should go to Greenbushes
to-day?"

"Oh, no, sir; not at all; nor will I go, if I can be of the least service
to you by staying here."

"I am expecting our rector this morning. I am hoping that he will bring me
some decisive news from St. Sebastian that may end this terrible
suspense."

"'Suspense,' sir? Do you also think that there may be some doubt about the
truth of Mrs. Anglesea's story?"

"When I look at the woman, and think of the man, I can scarcely believe
her to be his wife. Why, she is illiterate and ill bred to the lowest
degree!"

"I think she is infinitely above him!" indignantly exclaimed Le.

"In point of honesty, yes; for he is as despicable a miscreant as ever
lived; but, still, not likely to have married such a woman. And it may be
possible that there was no California marriage at all. Therefore I feel
very anxious to get this telegram."

"But, sir, in case this woman who claims to be his wife has been deceived
by a false marriage, and she is therefore not his wife, but his victim,
and it should follow that the marriage ceremony performed yesterday should
be legal----"

"It should not stand!" roared Abel Force, in sudden wrath. "It should be
dissolved by law! In no case shall my daughter ever behold the face of
that wretch again!"

"De Reberent Dr. Peters, sah, is waitin' to see yer," said Jake, putting
his head into the door.

"Is there any one in the drawing room?"

"No, sah."

"Then show Dr. Peters into the drawing room, and tell him that I will see
him there in a moment."

The man went to give his message.

Mr. Force put away his papers, locked his desk, and arose, saying:

"Come, Le; our suspense will be ended in another minute."

"I have been in painful suspense," answered the young man, as they went up