suspicion that his superiority in wealth and position had turned the scale
in his favor--a suspicion which, cherished, had grown to be the demon that
allowed him no peace of mind, and built up a fabric fraught with
wretchedness on this slight foundation. All this period Lady Alice's
demeanor to Mardyn was but too well calculated to deepen these suspicions.
Now, too, had come the time to strike a decisive blow. In this Clara was
thought a fitting instrument.

"You are indeed unjust," she said, with a skillful assumption of
earnestness; "Lady Alice considers she should be a mother to Charles--they
meet often; it is that she may advise him, She thinks he is
extravagant--that he spends too much time in London, and wishes to make the
country more agreeable to him."

"Yes, Clary, I know she does; she would be glad to keep the fellow always
near her."

"You mistake, sir, I assure you; I have been with them when they were
together; their language has been affectionate, but as far as the
relationship authorizes."

"Our opinions on that head differ, Clary; she deceived me, and by ---- she
shall suffer for it. She never told me she had known him; the fellow
insulted me by informing me when it was too late. He did not wish to
interfere--it was over now--he told me with a sneer."

"He was wounded by her treatment; so wounded, that, except as your wife,
and to show you respect, I know he would never have spoken to her. But if
your doubts can not be hushed, they may be satisfactorily dispelled."

"How--tell me?"

"Lady Alice and Charles sit every morning in the library; there are
curtained recesses there, in any of which you may conceal yourself, and
hear what passes."

"Good--good; but if you hint or breathe to them--"

"I merely point it out," she interrupted, "as a proof of my perfect belief
in Charles's principle and Lady Alice's affection for you. If a word
passes that militates against that belief, I will renounce it."

A sneer distorted Sir John's features. When not blinded by passion, he saw
clearly through character and motives. He had by this discerned Clara's
dislike to Lady Alice, and now felt convinced she suggested the scheme as
she guessed he would have his suspicions confirmed. He saw thus far, but
he did not see through a far darker plot--he did not see that, in the deep
game they played against him, Charles and Clara were confederates.

-------------------------------------

That was