Tipsy as Goodridge was, he had been crafty enough to hold his tongue about Sir Geoffrey’s part in the transaction, therefore it was not unnatural that Aarons’ thoughts should turn to his erstwhile rival as a fit instrument of Prue’s humiliation. To expose her, degrade her and, if possible, ruin her socially, he would spare neither money nor skill, but he felt himself unfit for the task; the blow from his hand might recoil upon himself and leave her unscathed. Besides, his ideas were, for the moment, too chaotic, and he was not the man to weaken his purpose by undue haste. With a tremendous effort of his iron will, he subdued all outward expression of anger, and even called up a smile of grim amusement. Once more rising from the table, he bade his companion adieu without any further allusion to the twenty-five guineas, much to the reverend scamp’s relief. "Take my advice, Parson, and keep a silent tongue in your head," he remarked. "_I_ will keep your secret, because it will not serve me to betray it, but if you take many more into your confidence, you may get into trouble." With which he strode away, leaving Goodridge to the congenial society of the half-empty bottle. *CHAPTER XXIV* *A SUPPER FOR THREE* Prue’s delight at the restoration of her necklace was so great that she forgot her fatigue, and Peggie found her dancing before a mirror and trying a variety of coquettish poses to show off the sparkling jewel and the fair throat it adorned. At first she could not resist the temptation of teasing Peggie by feigning to take Mr. Aarons’ proposal seriously. "Fancy, dear coz," she cried; "this Croesus tells me his strong-box literally bursts with diamonds only awaiting my acceptance. He promises me the finest of town-houses, with equipages and retinue to turn the grandest of our duchesses green with envy—the purse of Fortunatus, which will only be the fuller the more I spend! How pleased grannie will be to own Lady Prudence Aarons for a granddaughter!" Peggie broke into smiles. "Lady Prudence Aarons! Picture grannie’s face when you present the new grandson-elect to her ladyship." "But seriously, Peg," Prue went on more soberly, "this man aspires to marry me, and would have bestowed my own necklace upon me as a gift, had I not insisted upon paying him." "_Paying him!_" cried Peggie, in accents of the most profound astonishment. At the same moment her eye fell upon the little table and she pounced upon the neglected bank-notes with amazement too intense for words. "He left the money!" exclaimed Prue, gazing at the notes as Peggie wildly fluttered them before her. "I have done Aarons injustice. He must be really in love with me." "Prue! where on earth did this come from?" demanded Peggie, utterly mystified.