rse for me
to pursue at present."

"I really think it is," put in the lady.

"Thanks. You really deserve my forbearance, and I shall spare you for the
present, upon certain conditions. If these conditions be fulfilled, you
are safe. If they be not, you are lost."

"Let me hear them. I am not at all sure that I shall not prefer to be
lost," said the lady, whose spirits had risen under the prospect of her
enemy's retreat from the neighborhood.

"Listen, then. I intrust you with the custody of my wife. You must always
bear in mind that she belongs to me, and belongs to me until death; no
less shall free her! I shall arrange to keep you both under espionage,
even from the other side of the ocean. So long as you shall keep faith
with me, I shall keep quiet, and patiently await the course of events that
shall make my wife the countess of Enderby in her own right, and restore
her to my arms. But, on the very sign of an intention to dissolve the bond
that binds her to me, or to give her to any other, I shall--at all hazards
to myself--swoop down upon you with a sudden destruction from which there
shall be no appeal! Do you understand and accept the conditions?" he
inquired.

"I understand and accept the conditions," said Mrs. Force, with firmness.
"I shall certainly not encourage or countenance the thought of any other
alliance for my daughter, although I pray Heaven that she may never live
to set eyes on your face again!"

"Thank you! I feel sure that you will keep faith with me--not only from
your high esteem and deep affection for me, but also from your own
self-interest. I will not further intrude upon your time. Give my love to
my wife, and--to my Californian sweetheart. Madam, I have the honor to bid
you good-morning!"

Angus Anglesea left the room.

Elfrida Force went to the front window to watch him out of sight, and also
to recover her own self-control.

Then she returned to her guests in the parlor.

CHAPTER XXXI

A FOOL'S ERRAND

When young Roland Bayard left the Forest Rest, with Leonidas Force's
supposed challenge in his pocket and on warlike thoughts intent, he walked
rapidly on toward the Calvert House, an old-fashioned and highly
respectable roadside establishment, half farmhouse, half tavern, notable
for its pure liquors, fine tobacco and rare game--in season. It was a
favorite house of call for travelers on that road, and of sojourn to
strangers who might be detained by business or by a