P.S. I have to-day caused to be bought in your name Bank Stock to the amount of fifteen hundred pounds, the amount of the legacy coming to you from my aunt. This letter, and that from Mr. Green respecting the money, both reached Clara on the same morning. Now, having learned so much as to the position of affairs at Belton Castle, we may return to Will and his dinner engagement with Mr. Joseph Green. "And what have you heard about Mrs. Berdmore?" Belton asked, almost as soon as the two men were together. "I wish I knew why you want to know." "I don't want to do anybody any harm." "Do you want to do anybody any good?" "Any good! I can't say that I want to do any particular good. The truth is, I think I know where she is, and that she is living under a false name." "Then you know more of her than I do." "I don't know anything. I'm only in doubt. But as the lady I mean lives near to friends of mine, I should like to know." "That you may expose her?" "No;--by no means. But I hate the idea of deceit. The truth is, that any one living anywhere under a false name should be exposed,--or should be made to assume their right name." "I find that Mrs. Berdmore left her husband some years before he died. There was nothing in that to create wonder, for he was a man with whom a woman could hardly continue to live. But I fear she left him under protection that was injurious to her character." "And how long ago is that?" "I do not know. Some years before his death." "And how long ago did he die?" "About three years since. My informant tells me that he believes she has since married. Now you know all that I know." And Belton also knew that Mrs. Askerton of the cottage was the Miss Vigo with whom he had been acquainted in earlier years. After that they dined comfortably, and nothing passed between them which need be recorded as essential to our story till the time came for them to part. Then, when they were both standing at the club door, the lawyer said a word or two which is essential. "So you're off to-morrow?" said he. "Yes; I shall go down by the express." "I wish you a pleasant journey. By-the-by, I ought to tell you that you won't have any trouble in being either father or mother, or uncle or aunt to Miss Amedroz." "Why not?" "I suppose it's no secret." "What's no secret?" "She's going to be married to Captain Aylmer." Then Will Belton started so violently, and assumed on a sudden so manifest a look of anger, that his tale was at once told to Mr. Green. "Who says so?" he asked. "I don't believe it." "I'm afraid it's true all the same, Will." "Who says it?" "Captain Aylmer was with me to-day, and he told me. He ought to be good authority on such a subject." "He told you that he was going to marry Clara Amedroz?" "Yes, indeed." "And what made him come to you, to tell you?"