"Uncle Luke dear--Louise," said Madelaine imploringly. "Ah, to be sure, yes, Louise," said the old man with his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Circumstances alter cases. Now look here, you two. I'm only an old man, and of course thoroughly in your confidence. Sort of respectable go-between. Why shouldn't I try and make you two happy?" Leslie bit his lip, and Madelaine gave the old man an imploring look; but in a mocking way, he went on. "Now suppose I say to you two, what can be better than for you to join hands--partners for life you know, and--" "Mr Luke Vine!" cried Leslie sternly, "setting aside the insult to me, is this gentlemanly, to annoy Miss Van Heldre with your mocking, ill-chosen jokes?" "Hark at the hot-blooded Scotchman, Maddy; and look here how pleasantly and patiently my little Dutch doll takes it, bless her!" He put his arm round Madelaine and held her to his side. "Why, what are you ruffling up for in that fashion? Only a few minutes ago you were swearing that you hated Louie, and that you gave her up to the French nobleman--French nobleman, Maddy!--and I offer you a pleasant anodyne for your sore heart--and a very pleasant anodyne too, eh, Maddy? Ah, don't--don't cry--hang it all, girl, don't. I do hate to see a woman with wet eyes. Now what have you got to sob about?" "Is this helping us?" "No. But I'm going to, little one. I was obliged to stick something into Leslie, here. He is such a humbug. Swore he didn't care a bit for Louie now, and that he believed everything that was bad of her, and yet look at his face." "It is impossible to quarrel with you, sir," said Leslie, with the look of a human mastiff. "Of course it is," cried Uncle Luke. "Well, Maddy, I've converted him. He sees now that it's a puzzle we don't understand, and he is coming up to town with me to solve the problem." "I knew he would," cried Madelaine warmly. "Mr Leslie, I am very, very glad." "Of course, you are; and as soon as I bring Louie back, and all is cleared, Leslie shall come and congratulate us. D'ye hear, Leslie? I'm going to marry Madelaine. Marry her and stop up in the churchyard afterwards," he said with a grim smile full of piteous sadness. "Uncle Luke!" "Well, it's right enough, my dear. At my time of life hardly worth while to make two journeys up to the churchyard. So you could leave me there and go back, and take possession of my estate." "Louise." "Ah, yes. I mustn't forget Louise," said the old man. "Let's see-- about Margaret. Leave her all right?" "Yes; she is more calm now." "Did you question her, and get to know anything?" "Nothing." "Humph!" ejaculated the old man. "Close as an oyster, or else she doesn't know anything." "That is what I think," said Madelaine eagerly.