'I cannot tell what kind of disaster it will be--the greatest--the worst possible--it will be. Be warned. Keep Mr. Probus at arm's length or he will ruin you--he will ruin you, unless he has ruined you already.' 'You cannot frighten me with bugaboo stories. If you will not tell me who you are. I shall go.' She tore off her glove. 'Does this hand,' she said, 'remind you of nothing?' On the third finger of the white hand was a wedding-ring which I had never seen there before. He stared at the hand. Perhaps he suspected. I think he did. No one who had once seen that hand could possibly forget it. She tore off her domino. 'You have doubtless forgotten, Matthew, by this time, the face--of your wife.' He cursed her. He stood up and cursed her in round terms. I don't know why. He accused her of nothing. But he cursed her. She was the origin and cause of his bad luck. I would have interfered. 'Let be--let be,' she said. 'The time will surely come when the ruin which I have foretold will fall upon him. Let us wait till then. That will be sufficient punishment for him. I see it coming--I know not when. I see it coming. Let him curse.' He desisted. He ran out of the room without another word. She looked after him with a deep sigh. 'I told you, Will, that I had a surprise for you--the greatest surprise of your life. I will tell you more to-morrow if you will come in the afternoon. You shall hear more about Matthew, my husband Matthew. Get you gone now and home to bed with all the speed you may. Good-night, cousin Will--cousin Will.' I left her as I was bidden. I walked home through the deserted streets of early morning. My brain was burning. Matthew the gambler! Matthew the husband of Jenny! Matthew the gambler. Why--everything shouted the word as I passed: the narrow streets of Soho: the water lapping the arches of Westminster Bridge: the keen air blowing over the Bank; all shouted the words--'Matthew the gambler! Matthew the husband of Jenny! Matthew the gambler!' And when I lay down to sleep the words that rang in my ear were 'Matthew my husband--Cousin Will!--Cousin Will!' CHAPTER IV WHO SHE WAS 'You now know, Will,' said Jenny, when I called next day, 'why I have been interested in you, since I first saw you. Not on account of your good looks, Sir, though I confess you are a very pretty fellow: nor on account of your playing, which is spirited and true; but because you are my first cousin by marriage.' She received me, sitting in the small room on the left of the Hall. The great house was quite empty, save for the servants, who were always clearing away the remains of one fête and arranging for another. Their footsteps resounded in the vacant corridors and their voices echoed in the vacant chambers. 'Jenny, I have been able to think of nothing else. I could not sleep for thinking of it. I am more and more amazed.'