"Can you suppose I didn't realise that keenly? Yet I hoped against hope that Darcy would die; that he'd be apprehended and imprisoned, and perish of the rigours of hard labour; anything that would set me free. Then I saw that Stanley loved Inez De Costa. It was an added pang, but it caused me to hesitate; because in taking my revenge, I should wreck both their lives." "But you? Had you pity for Inez De Costa?" "Yes, incomprehensible as it may seem to you; for I'd learned to loathe Darcy before he had committed bigamy. I never met her till that night at the Hyde Park Club, and she asked me if I knew her husband. _Her husband!_ I pitied her from that moment. She'd done me no wrong. Why should I wreck her life, if it could be avoided?" "And now?" "Now you've solved the problem. Darcy won't dare to contest the suit for divorce. He'll be glad to get rid of her, because he can't control her money. Having the purse-strings, I can force him to recognise me as his wife, after the divorce has been granted. I shall have an assured position, and I can begin to pay back some of my debts," and her eyes flashed. "And in all this, what is there to compel me to keep your secret?" "Because the marriage between Inez De Costa and Mr. Stanley might never take place if they knew the truth. I'll keep the secret if you will. She's in no way to blame. At first I hated her; now that I've known her, my hate is turned to pity." "You're right," said Kent-Lauriston. "I'll keep your secret inviolate." "Now about the receipt for the forty thousand pounds." "Yes?" "I think Mr. Stanley had better see it, it'll save further awkwardness, but I must have it back. It's my one hold over Darcy, my one chance of righting myself." "There's a receipt for the amount," said Kent-Lauriston, tearing out a leaf from his note-book, on which he wrote a few lines. "I'll be responsible for its return to you. I can't do less." "Here comes Lieutenant Kingsland now," she said. "Don't say anything. I'll manage this affair." "Jack!" she called, "come here a moment." The young officer approached. "Yes?" he said interrogatively. "You needn't hesitate to speak before Mr. Kent-Lauriston," she assured him. "He's one of my _best_ friends. You've not forgotten the promise which you made me, when I helped you about arranging your wedding, to do anything I might request?" "No, and I'd do it if the occasion required," he replied heartily. "Good," she said, "the occasion is here." "What must I do?" "You hold in your possession a receipt from the Victoria Street Branch of the Bank of England for the deposit in my name of five chests belonging to Mr. Riddle." "Yes, I've been meaning to give it to you." "I wish you to give it to Mr. Stanley." "To Mr. Stanley?" "Yes." "Is that all?"