But she could not but be surprised that her father should so absolutely refuse to entertain the idea that any intimacy between herself and Captain De Baron should be injurious. It gratified her that it should be so, but nevertheless she was surprised. She had endeavoured to examine the question by her own lights, but had failed in answering it. She knew well enough that she liked the man. She had discovered in him the realization of those early dreams. His society was in every respect pleasant to her. He was full of playfulness, and yet always gentle. He was not very clever, but clever enough. She had made the mistake in life,--or rather others had made it for her,--of taking herself too soon from her playthings and devoting herself to the stern reality of a husband. She understood something of this, and liked to think that she might amuse herself innocently with such a one as Jack De Baron. She was sure that she did not love him,--that there was no danger of her loving him; and she was quite confident also that he did not love her. But yet,--yet there had been a doubt on her mind. Innocent as it all was, there might be cause of offence to her husband. It was this thought that had made her sometimes long to be taken away from London and be immured amidst the dulness of Cross Hall. But of such dangers and of such fears her father saw nothing. Her father simply bade her to maintain her own dignity and have her own way. Perhaps her father was right. On the next day the Dean and his son-in-law went, according to appointment, to Mr. Battle. Mr. Battle received them with his usual bland courtesy, and listened attentively to whatever the two gentlemen had to say. Lawyers who know their business always allow their clients to run out their stories even when knowing that the words so spoken are wasted words. It is the quickest way of arriving at their desired result. Lord George had a good deal to say, because his mind was full of the conviction that he would not for worlds put an obstacle in the way of his brother's heir, if he could be made sure that the child was the heir. He wished for such certainty, and cursed the heavy chance that had laid so grievous a duty on his shoulders. When he had done, Mr. Battle began. "I think, Lord George, that I have learned most of the particulars." Lord George started back in his chair. "What particulars?" said the Dean. "The Marchioness's late husband,--for she doubtless is his Lordship's wife,--was a lunatic." "A lunatic!" said Lord George. "We do not quite know when he died, but we believe it was about a month or two before the date at which his Lordship wrote home to say that he was about to be married." "Then that child cannot be Lord Popenjoy," said the Dean with exultation. "That's going a little too fast, Mr. Dean. There may have been a divorce." "There is no such thing in Roman Catholic countries," said the Dean. "Certainly not in Italy."