"None as yet. To-night or to-morrow morning he comes here to explain." "But why here, of all places?" "Miss Bellin is in Marshminster. Felix is staying there also, and in his letter asked me to see him at the Fen Inn, as he wished to explain his conduct fully before I met Olivia again." "And you agreed?" "As you see." "In your place," said I meditatively, "I should have gone at once to Marshminster and confronted both. There is some trickery about this." "You think so?" "I am by nature suspicious," I answered, "perhaps too much so. Yes! I think there is some trickery." Francis frowned and glanced at his watch. "It is now eight o'clock," he said, replacing it in his pocket, "too late to go to Marshminster.' "Besides which," I added, "our worthy landlord has doubtless neither trap nor horse." By this time we had finished supper and Rose came in to clear away. Thoughtfully filling my pipe I watched her closely. Undeniably she was a very beautiful woman, and ill suited to her present occupation. Why a girl so handsome should bury herself in this lonely inn was a mystery to me. I felt sure that there was a purpose connected with her presence here, and that inimical to Briarfield. The landlord did not make his appearance, which was to me a matter of some relief. I disliked the fellow greatly. Francis, smoking hard, sat staring at the fire, and took no heed of Rose. Once or twice she glanced in his direction, and looked as though about to address him. Catching my eye, she bit her lip and desisted. Finally she disappeared from the room with manifest anger at not having accomplished her design. "Strange," said I, lighting my pipe. "What is strange?" asked Briarfield, looking up. "That girl knows your brother." "It's not impossible," he answered carelessly; "Felix always had an eye for pretty faces, and as he appointed this inn as a meeting place, he has probably been here before. Rose Strent no doubt draws him hither by her beauty." "That is not a compliment to Miss Bellin." "I know it. Felix is a profligate scamp, and will make her a bad husband. He shall not marry her!" added Briarfield angrily. "I say he shall not marry her and make her life miserable! I'll kill him first!" "Man! man! think of what you are saying--your own brother." "My own brother--my twin brother," scoffed Francis; "is that any reason why he should take away from me the woman I love?" "She is not worth regretting if she forgets you so soon." "She has not forgotten me," he said earnestly; "I assure you, Denham, she loves me still. The last letter I received from her gave no hint that she wearied of me. As you say, there is some trickery about it. I'll have an explanation from Felix," continued he, striking the table with his fist, "or, by Heaven, I'll kill him!" "Where did you meet her?" I asked, ignoring his last remark, which was but idle.