“Have you two made it up?” the former asked, laughing, as he saw how confidential they had become. “Yes; and I’ve promised not to interfere with my next grandson’s matrimonial inclinations in any way,” Lord Dunforth replied, with a sly glance at Brownie, as he shook the young man’s hand. He laughed, then asked: “Did she tell you how they made her a prisoner down at West Malling, and of her discoveries there?” “No.” So Adrian related that circumstance himself, and explained how, when he found her cold and desolate the next morning, with not a friend to whom to flee, and feeling it impossible to return to Lady Ruxley, he had proposed on the spot to take her away in the only way in which he could do so honorably—by making her his wife, and so they had come immediately to London and were married. “Right, my boy, and I honor you for it. May Heaven forgive me for seeking to destroy your happiness in the way I did,” returned his lordship, heartily, while his horror and indignation against Lady Randal for her conduct regarding her younger son was boundless. Harmony being fully restored, Lord and Lady Dunforth spent the day and dined with the young couple, and parted from them in the evening upon the best of terms, insisting that they must sojourn at least a part of every year at Castle Dunforth. “You know that it is your home, Adrian—yours and—may I call you Meta?” his lordship asked, suddenly turning to Brownie, and speaking the name with infinite tenderness. “Yes, do; I should like it,” she replied, with a smile. “Then, my children, you will come home soon,” he added. “Yes, sir, we will,” and Adrian shook his hand heartily. CHAPTER XL THE IMPENDING STORM For a week longer calls and invitations poured in upon the newly wedded couple, and it seemed almost impossible to tear themselves away from London. But at the expiration of that time Adrian thought they ought not to delay their visit to Vallingham Hall any longer, lest the marriage of Sir Charles should take place, and they be off upon the Continent before they could secure Brownie’s jewels. Besides, he had it in his power to save his friend from a lifetime of misery, and he felt that he would be doing him a grievous wrong did he not warn him of the precipice upon which he was standing. Neither did he think it would be right to allow him to go away without acquainting him of the fact that he had a brother living, for, of course, that circumstance alone would make a great difference in his future prospects, and he ought to know of it before the settlements were completed. Accordingly, on Monday preceding the wedding, which was to occur upon Wednesday, the 11th of June, they went down to West Malling, intending after their errand was accomplished to make Lady Ruxley their promised visit, and then repair to Dunforth Castle for a while.