"Thus far my mind is made up, that I will withstand the man who _calls himself_ Colonel Brand. But how am I to do it? I will take possession of Castle Brand at once, that he may not get it before me. I will hold it against all his machinations. And when I am settled there I will try my best to unmask him, and ruin his infamous scheme. I need hope for no assistance from Mr. Davenport or Dr. Gay; as usual, they will call me half mad and disregard my convictions. Unaided, uncounseled, I must enter this strange conflict--where it may lead me, Heaven knows. But I dare not shrink from it; whatever befalls me. I must and shall prove this wretch an impostor." Dr. Gay was startled at his breakfast by the apparition of his guest coming into the breakfast-room with a grave, weary face. "You have slept ill, my dear," said he, paternally offering her a seat beside him. "Doctor, I am going to Castle Brand to-day." "Eh, bless me, what for?" "To live there. Will you drive me over after breakfast, if you please?" "But--how--what is your reason, my dear?" "Please, do not ask it. I do not wish to reveal it as yet." "Have we--has Mrs. Gay displeased you?" demanded the little man, growing very red. "No, she has not," said Margaret, sweetly; "you have both been most kind." "This is very extraordinary, after your last expressed decision that you would never enter Castle Brand--is not that what you said?" "I have changed my mind," she said, obstinately, "and you must not feel displeased with me. I must go to Castle Brand immediately." The doctor got up, and scurried through the room in great perturbation; he knitted his brows, he pshawed, he stumbled against things in the most provoking manner, and his wife looked after him with an air of Christian resignation. "Strange--unaccountable!" ejaculated the doctor, turning a suspicious gaze upon Margaret Walsingham. "Pray, madam, has Colonel Brand anything to do with your change of purpose?" Then, indeed, her grave sweetness vanished, and a hard, bitter expression crossed her face. "I will answer nothing," she said, with a chilling reserve; "and you will be good enough to allow me my own way, unquestioned, for once." "Oh, certainly, Miss Walsingham," returned the doctor, with satiric courtesy, and rushed from the room to order out his gig. She was waiting for him in the little parlor when he came in, with her bonnet and shawl on, and the sight of her white, desperate face added fuel to the flame of the doctor's ire. "My vehicle awaits your pleasure, madam," said he, stiffly; and with a start she rose and bade her hostess good-by, and followed the doctor out.