She could hardly tear herself away from the soft pressure of his hand and the fascination of his tongue, and she left him, more madly in love with him than ever, and ready to face anything but dishonor for him. She was to come out at twelve o'clock, and walk into Bagley with him to betroth herself to him, as she chose to consider it, before the stipendiary magistrate, who married couples in that way. Of the two marriages she had consented to, merely as preliminaries to a real marriage, Zoe despised this the most; for the Scotch marriage was, at all events, ancient, and respectable lovers had been driven to it again and again. She was behind her time, and Severne thought her courage had failed her, after all. But no: at half-past twelve she came out, and walked briskly toward Bagley. He was behind her, and followed her. She took his arm nervously. “Let me feel you all the way,” she said, “to give me courage.” So they walked arm-in-arm; and, as they went, his courage secretly wavered, her's rose at every step. About half a mile from the town they met a carriage and pair. At sight of them a gentleman on the box tapped at the glass window, and said, hurriedly, “Here they are _together.”_ Mademoiselle Klosking said, “Stop the carriage”: then, pausing a little, “Mr. Vizard--on your word of honor, no violence.” The carriage was drawn up, Ashmead opened the door in a trice, and La Klosking, followed by Vizard, stepped out, and stood like a statue before Edward Severne and Zoe Vizard. Severne dropped her arm directly, and was panic-stricken. Zoe uttered a little scream at the sight of Vizard; but the next moment took fire at her rival's audacity, and stepped boldly before her lover, with flashing eyes and expanded nostrils that literally breathed defiance. CHAPTER XXVII. “YOU infernal scoundrel!” roared Vizard, and took a stride toward Severne. “No violence,” said Ina Klosking, sternly: “it will be an insult to this lady and me.” “Very well, then,” said Vizard, grimly, “I must wait till I catch him alone.” “Meantime, permit me to speak, sir,” said Ina. “Believe me, I have a better right than even you.” “Then pray ask my sister why I find her on that villain's arm.” “I should not answer her,” said Zoe, haughtily. “But my brother I will. Harrington, all this vulgar abuse confirms me in my choice: I take his arm because I have accepted his hand. I am going into Bagley with him to become his wife.” This announcement took away Vizard's breath for a moment, and Ina Klosking put in her word. “You cannot do that: pray he warned. He is leading you to infamy.” “Infamy! What, because he cannot give me a suit of sables? Infamy! because we prefer virtuous poverty to vice and wealth?” “No, young lady,” said Ina, coloring faintly at the taunt; “but because you could only be his paramour; not his wife. He is married already.”