She looked up at him curiously. “Would you?” she said. “It is not a bad idea. I dare say it is all true. He is worthless. Why does one fall in love with worthless people? Well, there is an end of it; or a beginning of the end. As I have sown, so must I reap;” and she got up, and unlocking the door left the room. “Yes,” he said aloud when she had gone, “there is a beginning of the end. Upon my word, what between one thing and another, unlucky devil as I am, I had rather stand in my own shoes than in Edward Cossey’s.” Belle went to her room and sat thinking, or rather brooding, sullenly. Then she put on her bonnet and cloak and started out, taking the road that ran past Honham Castle. She had not gone a hundred yards before she found herself face to face with Edward Cossey himself. He was coming out of a gunsmith’s shop, where he had been ordering some cartridges. “How do you do, Belle?” he said, colouring and lifting his hat. “How do you do, Mr. Cossey?” she answered, coming to a stop and looking him straight in the face. “Where are you going?” he asked, not knowing what to say. “I am going to walk up to the Castle to call on Miss de la Molle.” “I don’t think that you will find her. She is in bed with a headache.” “Oh! So you have been up there this morning?” “Yes, I had to see the Squire about some business.” “Indeed.” Then looking him in the eyes again, “Are you engaged to be married to Ida?” He coloured once more, he could not prevent himself from doing so. “No,” he answered; “what makes you ask such a question?” “I don’t know,” she said, laughing a little; “feminine curiosity I suppose. I thought that you might be. Good-bye,” and she went on, leaving Edward Cossey to the enjoyment of a very peculiar set of sensations. “What a coward!” said Belle to herself. “He does not even dare to tell me the truth.” Nearly an hour later she arrived at the Castle, and, asking for Ida, was shown into the drawing-room, where she found her sitting with a book in her hand. Ida rose to greet her in friendly fashion, for the two women, although they were at the opposite poles of character, had a liking for each other. In a way they were both strong, and strength always recognises and respects strength. “Have you walked up?” asked Ida. “Yes, I came on the chance of finding you. I want to speak to you.” “Yes,” said Ida, “what is it?” “This. Forgive me, but are you engaged to be married to Edward Cossey?” Ida looked at her in a slow, stately way, which seemed to ask by what right she came to question her. At least, so Belle read it. “I know that I have no right to ask such a question,” she said, with humility, “and, of course, you need not answer it, but I have a reason for asking.” “Well,” said Ida, “I was requested by Mr. Cossey to keep the matter secret, but he appears to have divulged it. Yes, I am engaged to be married to him.” Belle’s beautiful face turned a shade paler, if that was possible, and her eyes hardened.