Adrienne had been growing more and more uncomfortable. She was ashamed of her aunt, ashamed that she showed no gratitude or appreciation for what her stepson was doing for her. And now she silently slipped out of the room. She had no fear that Guy would lose his temper, or retaliate in any degree to his stepmother's unjust charges. He had infinite patience, infinite self-control; she knew that he would remain absolutely calm and unmoved, but she felt that he would be—that he must be—hurt in his soul, by her aunt's unkindness and suspicion. She went into the garden, and there, lifting her head to the clear blue sky beyond, tried to get above earth's difficulties and misunderstandings. It was not long before Guy joined her, and he drew a long breath before he spoke. "There!" he said. "That's one effort over. I knew she would take it hardly, but it will be for her happiness. She has tried and struggled and failed to keep a home over her head, and now I must do it for her. I suppose she will never believe that I planned this out before I had any knowledge that I possessed an heir. But that does not matter. I shall go straight forward now. You had better go to her and get her mind off my iniquity and deception if you can. She'll soon forget it, and be happy when she gets into her flat. I really don't know what she will do without you when you go home!" "Poor Aunt Cecily!" said Adrienne. And then she turned to look at Guy with very tender eyes. "And poor Cousin Guy!" she said softly. "No one understands or feels for his difficulties, and this addition of responsibility that has just come to him!" Then she added quickly: "But he'll be a joy and a treasure! What a darling little boy he is! When will you let Aunt Cecily see him?" "Not till I've polished off Bouverie," said Guy with a grave smile. Adrienne flitted away from him, and, as so often before, he watched her figure till it disappeared into the house. But this time from a flash of interest and admiration, the light in his eyes glowed with deep passion, and he murmured between set lips: "Shall I ever win her, and see her as mistress here?" At three o'clock, Monsieur Bouverie arrived up at the Château. Guy and Monsieur Grougan, his lawyer, were awaiting him in the big library. Adrienne kept out of his way, but Pierre told her that he looked very white, though he blustered more than usually. "I have very little time to give the Count," he said; "I am particularly busy to-day." The interview went on and on. Four o'clock came, five o'clock, six o'clock, and still the three were talking together. The Countess had forgotten her anger against Guy. Now she was most excited. "Do you think Guy will get the better of him? If he has robbed me all these years, will I get my money back? I think I ought to be there with them, and yet I would rather not. I am afraid of angry men." "Cousin Guy will never get angry," said Adrienne.