He refrained. But catching her hand, and leaning against the trunk beside her, he poured into her ear protestations and flattery; the ordinary language of such a man at such a moment. Hester listened to it with a kind of eagerness. Sometimes, with a slight frown, as though ear and mind waited, intently, for something that did not come. "I wonder how many people you have said the same things to before!" she said suddenly, looking searchingly into his face. "What have you got to tell me about that Scotch girl?" "Richard's Scotch girl?"--he laughed, throwing his handsome head back against the tree--"whom Richard supposes me to have married? Well, I had a great flirtation with her, I admit, two years ago, and it is sometimes rather difficult in Scotland to know whether you are married or no. You know of course that all that's necessary is to declare yourselves man and wife before witnesses? However--perhaps you would like to see a letter from the lady herself on the subject?" "You had it ready?" she said, doubtfully. "Well, considering that Richard has been threatening me for months, not only with the loss of you, but with all sorts of pains and penalties besides, I have had to do something! Of course I have done a great deal. This is one of the documents in the case. It is an affidavit really, drawn up by my solicitor and signed by the lady whom Richard supposes to be my injured wife!" He placed an envelope in her hands. Hester opened it with a touch of scornful reluctance. It contained a categorical denial and repudiation of the supposed marriage. "Has Uncle Richard seen it?" she asked coldly, as she gave it back to him. "Certainly he has, by now." He took another envelope from his pocket. "I won't bother you with anything more--the thing is really too absurd!--but here, if you want it, is a letter from the girl's brother. Brothers are generally supposed to keep a sharp lookout on their sisters, aren't they? Well, this brother declares that Meynell's inquiries have come to nothing, absolutely nothing, in the neighbourhood--except that they have made people very angry. He has got no evidence--simply because there is none to get! I imagine, indeed, that by now he has dropped the whole business. And certainly it is high time he did; or I shall have to be taking action on my own account before long!" He looked down upon her, as she stood beside him, trying to make out her expression.