"Miriam, Miriam, you are but a child after all; you believe all that is told you. Why this man should have informed you that I meant to harm Jabez I cannot say, unless it was to make bad blood between us, and to thwart my scheme in which you are concerned. But I shall find out his reason, and make him pay--as I _can_ make him pay--for his interference. But you may set your mind at rest, you silly child. I have no intention of molesting Jabez, if only because by doing so, as you say, I should lose my hold over you. So long as you do my bidding, Jabez is safe; of course, if you don't--well, we won't talk about that for the present. As to your threatening to disclose my secret vice--I am not afraid of that threat. To tell every one here about me would do you no good--and it certainly would not do me much harm. But if you were to do anything so spiteful, I may tell you that I should have Jabez under lock and key in a week." "So long as you do not harm him I will be--as I have been hitherto," replied the woman wearily. "It was only from what your Shadow Man gave me to understand that I spoke as I did. I will do all I can to meet your wishes." "Marry Gerald then!" Miriam shook her head. "I said I was prepared to do what I could," she observed, "but so far as Mr. Arkel is concerned, I can do nothing. I may as well tell you at once that he is engaged to Hilda Marsh." "Damn her!" said Barton, without moving a muscle. "How do you know?" "I saw them sitting together on the stile near Farmer Bell's. One glance at them was quite sufficient for me. They are engaged, Mr. Barton. You will find that I am right." Barton mused. "I am not surprised," he said, after a pause. "I have no doubt you are right. I fancy I know, too, what has brought it about. Last night I told Gerald that I intended to make him my heir; he has, of course, gone straight to her, the hussy, with it, and she--by Heaven, what fools men are!--well, she's lost no time in bringing him to the point. Well," Barton chuckled, "it is not too late to remedy my little mistake. I shall just contrive to let Miss Marsh know that I have changed my mind--that for Gerald I intend to substitute John Dundas, and I fancy you'll see that she'll change hers pretty quickly too." "Even if she does, it can make no difference so far as I am concerned. As I told you before, I tell you again, there is no chance of my marrying Mr. Arkel." "But I thought you said--your feelings----!" "Yes, I know that to my cost, but he does not love me, and will never, never ask me to be his wife. He respects me, he admires me--I am sure he likes me very much. But I must have more than that, Mr. Barton--or less. Let me go, please. I have tried to win Gerald; but he is not for me."