“And supposing I decline to leave Miss Fane and to go to Monkswood, what are to be the dire consequences?” “You have no other alternative,” he replied with freezing politeness. “Unfortunately for your independent spirit, all your money is in my hands.” “What a shame!” she cried passionately. “Yes, is it not?” he answered with a satirical smile. “A young lady with an empty purse, and utterly cut off from her friends, would find herself rather embarrassed, to say the least of it.” “Miss Fane will allow me to live with her as before,” she returned confidently. “When she finds that you are absolutely penniless, I think you will discover that her interest in you has ceased,” he replied significantly. “Must I go to Monkswood? Must I?” she asked passionately. A bow was her reply. “I suppose I am completely in your power?” “I am afraid so,” he answered composedly. “Oh, if anyone else were only my guardian! If your father had lived, or if he had chosen Mr. Mayhew.” “I sincerely echo both your wishes, but I hope you will be able to reconcile yourself to circumstances. You will go to Monkswood, I am sure.” “I suppose I _must_--for a time at least,” looking at him defiantly. “Very well,” he replied, ignoring her look, “we will consider the matter settled. Mark Mayhew and my solicitors will look after your interests. Personally, I will have no communication with you. This is our last interview; from to-day we are strangers.” After a pause he went on: “You will hear from Helen whether I am dead or alive; if the former, you will be freed from every tie--you will be your own mistress, an exceedingly rich widow, with no one to control you in any way. Should you marry again, as no doubt you will, I sincerely hope your second venture in matrimony will be more fortunate than your first.” “Reginald!” she exclaimed indignantly. “He will have to be a different sort of fellow to me,” he continued, without noticing the interruption; “to have a pretty thick skin; to give you your own way completely; and to have no self-respect whatever. Of course _that_ will be a _sine qua non_. He must not mind your changeful moods, nor be offended, if after telling him he is dearer to you than words can express, and making an utter fool of him, you turn on him at the first breath of suspicion and call him a hypocrite, a deceiver, a ruffian of the deepest dye, and altogether a most infernal scoundrel.” “Reginald, I never used such expressions. How _dare_ you speak to me in such a way! How dare you treat me so!” she exclaimed, raising her voice, much to the amusement of two sailors, the only other people on the pier, who were lolling over the railings close by, and had been watching the scene with unaffected delight. “She’s giving it to him. By Jove, Bill, that chap has his hands full!” said one of them, turning his quid. “If he is going to venture out on the sea of matrimony with that craft, he’ll happen to have heavy weather frequent and squalls every day.”