"Even then I do not see how you could marry. You might gain a commission, but not money. Until your worldly prospects are more secure, I do not think you should engage yourself to Miss Tempest." "That is straight speaking, Marton." "You gave me permission to speak out. I like you, Haverleigh, and after the trouble you have come through I think you should be rewarded by getting your heart's desire. But if you love Miss Temple, you will not marry her until you can give her a comfortable home. Even if you are successful in South Africa, a baggage waggon is not the place for a delicate girl. You can offer her nothing better than that." "True enough. I admit that what you say is correct. But what am I to do?" "Well," said the detective, after a pause, "it seems to me that you have some claim upon your aunt. She took charge of you and brought you up. I understand she intimated that you would be her heir, and you received an education to fit you for the position. If she intended to send you adrift as she _has_ done, she should at least have had you taught some profession or trade whereby you could earn your bread and butter. Yes; I think you have a right to demand some assistance from her." Leo shook his head and flushed. "I can't bring myself to do that," he said in a low voice. "She has insulted me so deeply that it goes against my nature to eat humble pie. I would rather make my own way in the world. As to Sybil, I shall not ask her to engage herself to me until--as you say--I can offer her a home." "You can do nothing but enlist, I suppose?" "No. Soldiering is all I am fit for. Now that my name has been cleared I will bid farewell to Sybil and enlist straight away. She will wait for me, I am certain. I get my commission I can perhaps see my way to make her my wife. If I am shot--well," Leo shrugged his shoulders, "there is an end to all things." "Haverleigh!" said Marton, after a pause. "Will you tell me what reason your aunt has for disliking you so much?" "I don't know. She has always been stern and hard with me. Lately she has openly hated me. That is why I left her." "There is something connected with you that is wrong?" "Not to my knowledge. I have been foolish, but not wilfully wicked." "I know that. But Mrs Gabriel knows something--it may be about your parents--that has prejudiced the vicar against you. It was her influence that made him turn against you. He admitted as much to me. But he refused to say what she had told him." "I guessed all this," said Leo, quietly; "but what can I do?" "Insist upon knowing what has been said. You have a right to. If the vicar will not speak out--and he has given his word not to--Mrs Gabriel may be forced to do so. Were I you, Haverleigh, I should see her and insist upon an explanation." "She won't give it." "I should force it out of her," said Marton, determinedly. "Oh! I know she is a hard woman, but if you persevere she must give way."