"True," the girl interrupted. "I don't know how they will manage the rest; but having settled this much, madame and her 'brother' paused at the end of the path. I saw her as she looked up into his face, and this is what she said: 'When he is once a prisoner, what could be more natural than that a crazy, sick old man should _die_ some day?' Then the man replied, 'Nothing;' and they both returned to the house, without another word." For some moments silence reigned in Hagar's dwelling. The old woman seemed either unable, or unwilling, to utter a word of comment upon the story to which she had been so attentive a listener. Celine at length arose and said, as she began pacing to and fro before the old woman. "Well, have you anything to say to this?" "Yes," quietly. "Then why don't you speak out? Are you horribly shocked?" "No." "No? Well, so much the better!" Hagar arose, pushed back her chair, crossed the room, and, pulling back the curtain, looked out into the night. Then turning her inscrutable old face upon the girl she said, quite calmly: "Why should not others measure out to John Arthur the same bitter draught that he filled for your mother, years ago? Bah! it is only retribution!" "True," said the girl, sternly. Then, in a guarded tone: "And you would make no attempt to overturn their finely laid plans?" "I? _No!_" fiercely. "You? I thought you wanted revenge." "And so I do,--and will have it." "How, then?" "Will you go to Madame Arthur?" "What for?" "Ah, now you reason. I will tell you." Hurriedly she unfolded her plan; and after some differences of opinion, dame Hagar agreed to play her part in the coming drama. Having finally arranged Hagar's _role_ to their mutual satisfaction, Celine hurriedly recounted her day's adventures, saying, by way of _finale_: "So now you see, nursie, I must hasten and send madame's message on its way. I shall depend upon you to tell me if Mr. Davlin comes to Bellair to-morrow, for I have a fancy that madame will manage, in some way, to prevent his coming to the house, as it was fully settled that he was not to appear at Oakley until summoned to his sister's sick-bed." "I can easily learn if he appears at the Bellair station." "Exactly; that is all I wish to know. Now I must go and waylay Mr. Percy. So good night, auntie, and cheer up; our time is coming fast." "And trouble coming, too; God help us." The girl turned upon her swiftly, with flashing eyes. "Are you afraid? Do you want to give it up?" "I am afraid for you. But give up now; never!" "Brave old nursie!" The girl flung both arms about the old woman, and kissed her withered cheeks. "Never fear for me; my star is rising. Don't forget your mission, auntie; good-night." The "good-night" came back over her shoulder, as the girl was hurrying down the cottage steps, and Hagar closed the door behind her retreating figure. CHAPTER XVI. FACE TO FACE.