Finding that his chances with Finella were now apparently _nil_, even though all seemed at an end between her and Vivian Hammersley, Shafto, by force of old habit, perhaps, turned his attention to Dulcie, who, in her humble and dependent capacity, had a difficult card to play, while feeling exasperated and degraded by the passion he expressed for her on every available opportunity. Not that he would, she suspected, have married a poor girl like her, as one with money, no matter who, was the wisest match for him, lest the discovery of who he was came to pass, though that he deemed impossible now. Shafto had learned and imitated much among the new and aristocratic folks in whose circle he found himself cast; and thus it was that he dared to make secret love, and to torment the helpless Dulcie with words that spoke of-- 'Riches and love and pleasure, And all but the name of wife.' Had he done that, she would have treated him quite as coldly and scornfully; but she could do no more than she did. Yet he was fast making her life at Craigengowan a torture, and she feared him almost more than his so-called grandmother, who was only a proud and selfish patrician, while he--ah, she knew too well what he was capable of; but Dulcie had something more to learn yet. One day, after having imbibed more wine, or _eau-de-vie_, than was good for him in Mr. Grapeston's pantry, as he sometimes did, he addressed the girl in a way there was no misunderstanding. She trembled and grew pale. 'Well, one thing I promise you if you try to please me,' said he--'to _please_ me, do you understand?--while you remain under this roof, which I hope, darling, will not be long now--I shall trouble you no more.' 'To please you, Shafto!' stammered the girl; 'what _do_ you mean?' 'I'll tell you that by-and-by, my pretty Dulcie, when the time comes.' She drew back with a pallid face and a hauteur that would have become Lady Fettercairn herself, while he in turn made her a low mock bow, and stalked tipsily off with what he thought a dignity of bearing, leaving her sick with terror of a future of insult and apprehension. Somehow she felt at his mercy, and began to contemplate flight, but to where? Watching closely, Lady Fettercairn observed the extreme caution and coldness of Dulcie's bearing to Shafto; but, not believing in it, or that a person in her dependent state could resist advances of any kind from one in his lofty position, supposed she had only to wait long enough and observe with care to find out if aught was wrong. 'But why wait?' said Lady Drumshoddy; 'why not dismiss the creature at once?' she added with asperity. 'How comes it that you are so intimate with this girl Carlyon?' said Lady Fettercairn one day. 'Your companion?' said Shafto. 'Yes.' 'How often have I told you that we are old friends--knew each other in Devonshire since we were a foot high.' 'But this intimacy now is--to say the least of it, Shafto--undignified.'