'Who speaks of marriage?' growled Shafto, under his breath, while a malicious smile glittered in his cold eyes, as he added aloud, 'You know which I wish to marry.' 'Then it cannot be me, nor shall it be Finella either, for the matter of that.' 'Does she act under your influence?' 'Do not think of it--she is under a more potent influence than I possess,' replied Dulcie, who, bewildered by his manner and remarks, was turning away, when he again confronted her, and the girl glanced uneasily at the windows, where, although she knew it not, the eyes of those she dreaded most were observing them both. To marry Dulcie, even if she would have him, certainly did not suit 'the book' of Shafto; but, as he admired her attractive person, and hated Florian with unreasoning rancour, as some men do who have wronged others, he would gladly have lured her into a _liaison_ with himself. He knew, however, her pride and purity too well, but he was not without the hope of blunting them, and eventually bending her to his will, under the threat or pressure of getting her expelled from Craigengowan, and thrown penniless, friendless, and with, perhaps, a tainted name, upon a cold, bitter, and censorious world. 'I know you better than to believe that you love me any more than I do you,' said Dulcie, with ill-concealed scorn; 'love is not in your nature, even for the brilliant Finella. You love her money--not herself.' Dissembling his rage, he said in a suppliant tone: 'Why are you so cold and repellant to me, Dulcie?' 'I do not know that I am markedly so.' 'But I do: beyond the affair of the locket, born of my very regard for you, what is my offence?' 'What you are doing now, following me about--forcing your society on me, and tormenting as you do. I shall be compromised with Lady Fettercairn if you do not take care.' 'I think you treat me with cruel coldness, considering the love I have borne you so long. Why should not we be even the friends we once were at Revelstoke, and like each other always?' 'After all you have done to Florian!' 'What _have_ I done to Florian?' he demanded, changing colour under the influence of his own secret thoughts. 'Cast him forth into the world penniless.' 'Oh, is that all?' said he, greatly relieved. 'Yes, that is all, so far as I know as yet.' Again his brow darkened at this chance shot; but, still dissembling, he said: 'My dear little Dulcie, what is the use of all this foolish regard for Florian and revengeful mood at me? We shall never see him again.' 'Oh, Shafto, how can you talk thus coldly of Florian, with whom you went to school and college together, played together as boys, and read together as men--were deemed almost brothers rather than cousins! Shame on you!' and she stamped her little foot on the ground as she spoke. 'How pretty you look when angry! You do not care for me just now, perhaps; but in time you will, Dulcie.' 'Never, Shafto.'