"If you will," assented Beatrice carelessly. She would rather have gone alone, but since the Grange was now her goal, and not the Witch Oak, Durban's presence did not matter. "But there is no need." "Oh, I think so; there will be a storm to-night, and then it will grow dark. Besides, people may not be about, and the path to Convent Grange is lonely. I shall come also." "Very good; and the key---- "I can get it. Master keeps it hanging up in the counting-house, but I can get it." Durban grinned and nodded, and then was about to go away, when he suddenly stopped, and his dark face grew serious. "One thing tell me, missy, and do not be angry." "I could never be angry with you, Durban. What is it?" "Do you love Mr. Paslow, missy?" "Yes," replied Beatrice without hesitation. She knew that whatever she said to her faithful servant would never be repeated by him. "And does he love you?" This time she coloured. "I think so--I am not sure," was her faint reply, as she cast down her eyes. Durban came a step nearer. "Does he love any one else?" he asked. Beatrice raised her head sharply, and sent a flaming glance towards the questioner. "What do you mean?" "If he doesn't love you, does he love any one else?" persisted Durban. Beatrice twisted her hands. "I am sure he loves me, and no one else!" she cried passionately. "I can see it in his eyes--I can read it in his face. Yet he--yet he--oh!" she broke off, unwilling to remark upon Paslow's strange, wavering wooing, to a servant, even though that servant was one who would readily have died to save her a moment's pain. "Do you think he loves any one else?" she asked evasively. "No." Durban's eyes were fixed on her face. "I have no reason to think so. If he loves my missy, he can never be fond of other women; but if he plays you false, missy "--Durban's face grew grim and darker than ever--"you have a dog who can bite." "No! no!" said Beatrice, alarmed--since Durban could make himself unpleasant on occasions, and, from the look on his face, she feared for Vivian--"he loves me, and me only; I am sure of that!" The man's face cleared. "Then we will go to the Grange this evening, and you can see him." "But if my stepfather hates him, Durban, he will place some obstacle in the way, should Mr. Paslow ask me to marry him." "If he asks you to be his wife, you shall marry him, missy." "But my father----" "He will say nothing." "Are you sure? When Mr. Alpenny takes an idea into his head----" "He will take no idea of stopping your marriage, missy. You shall be happy. I promised him that." "Promised who?" "Your real father," said Durban, and departed without another word. It would seem as though he were unwilling to be questioned. Beatrice began to think that there was some mystery connected with her parents, which Durban knew, but which Durban would not reveal. CHAPTER III MR. ALPENNY'S PROPOSAL