"Ah! that is it, and worse may come of it." "What worse can come of it?" "Sir Lemuel, this Mr. Scott, you must remember, is nothing but an adventurer, who only gains an entrance into respectable circles on account of his journalistic reputation. He is probably also a pauper, but being a very handsome and attractive man, he is certainly a very dangerous, and likely to be a very successful fortune-hunter." "You mean he may try to marry my heiress?" "Yes, Sir Lemuel." "He has my full consent to do so." "Sir Lemuel!" "Listen, my good lady, I have a secret to tell you. That gentleman whom we have known as Mr. John Scott only, is really Archibald-Alexander-John Scott, Marquis of Hereward." A woman of the world is hardly ever "taken aback." Lady Belgrade gave no exclamation. But she caught her breath and stared at the speaker. "It is as I have told you. He is the Marquis of Arondelle. He is going to marry my daughter. He will get back Lone through her. And she will be Marchioness of Arondelle, and in due time Duchess of Hereward." "You--don't--say--so!" breathed her ladyship, slowly. "And now, you know how to manage it. You must aid the young couple as much as you can by giving them as much as possible of each other's society." "Yes, I see," said her ladyship. "And now--don't look toward them again." The banker nodded intelligently. And they gave their attention to the game. And the two young people seemed to find inexhaustible interest in the volume they were bending over. It was eleven o'clock before the young marquis arose to take leave. "I have asked Miss Levison to ride with me in the Park to-morrow, and she has kindly consented--with your approbation, Sir Lemuel," said the young man. "Certainly, Mr. Scott. I consider horseback riding one of the most healthful of exercises," said the banker, heartily. The young marquis then bowed and took his leave. Lady Belgrade gathered up her embroidery work and bade them good-night. "My girl, what do you think of Mr. Scott?" asked the banker, when he was left alone with his daughter. "Oh, papa," she breathed in an embarrassed manner. "Do you know who he really is, my dear?" "Yes, papa, I knew him when I first met him at the Premier's dinner. I knew him by his portrait that I saw at Castle Lone!" "Oh, you did!" said the banker, musing. His daughter looked at him for a moment, and then suddenly threw herself into his arms, clasped his neck and kissed him fervently, exclaiming, with her face radiant with delight: "Oh, papa! this is all your doing! I understand it all, dear papa! Bless you! bless you! bless you, my own, own dear papa! You have made your child so happy!" CHAPTER V. ARONDELLE'S CONSOLATION. On the next day, at the appointed hour, Salome came down to the drawing-room dressed for her ride.