“A life he deserved! _He_--married to _her_.” He looked suddenly at his companion, and the touch of passion in his eyes revealed _all_ things. “To that poor, sweet, pretty girl. _He_ to play fast and loose with her, a child just out of her schoolroom. It”--he paused and commanded himself--“In my opinion it was contemptible.” “You give yourself away a good deal,” said Castleton, who looked amused--who looked, indeed, as if he would like to laugh. He had a great affection for Jacynth, who was rather a special sort of man, and in spite of his mirth felt sorry for him. “You are, I presume, on the side of Lady Francis.” “That would be an impertinence from any man but you,” said Jacynth moodily. “There is no need to go into it, however. Whether I love her or not is no matter. It”--miserably--“can _never_ matter now. What I _do_ is--to pity her with all my soul.” “Because of her marriage?” Jacynth looked at him as if hesitating. “For that too,” said he deliberately. “She married, in my opinion, the last man in the world who would have made her really happy. But my pity did not run that way. I was thinking of that miserable trial and its consequences.” “Yes, she was a trifle too magnanimous there,” said Castleton, believing the other knew all about it. “It would have been better, to my way of thinking, if she had told the broad truth, and let Onslow take his chance.” “His chance!” said Jacynth, staring at him. “Certainly; it wasn’t so bad a chance. He might, he positively _would_ have got off all right. But she chose to take the guilt on her own shoulders, and now she has created an enigma very difficult of solution.” “You mean----” Jacynth paused; he seemed gasping for breath. “I mean----” suddenly Lord Castleton grew silent, and gazed at his companion with a troubled countenance. “Do _you_ mean,” said he, “that you didn’t know? Why, you conducted the case for _her_.” “I know nothing,” said Jacynth, with great agitation. “If you can throw any honest light on the matter, do it, I entreat you.” “I hardly know whether I should. I”--Castleton drew back from him--“I was so sure you knew that----my dear fellow, _pray_ forget what I have said.” “I shall forget nothing,” said Jacynth sturdily. “I should advise you not to forget either. Look here, Castleton,” catching his arm, “is it advisable to forget? Who knows what this telegram may mean? We are both friends of hers.” “Are you a friend of _his_?” “No! Why should I disguise the truth? I have told you before how I regard him. But what has that got to do with it?” “You are prejudiced.” “I am not. If you _have_ anything to disclose, Castleton, disclose it! I may be of use to you----” He hesitated.