Anthony looked apprehensively at Clarice, as she read the anonymous letter, for he quite expected that she would be greatly agitated, and had been rather afraid of showing it to her, lest the shock of such an accusation brought against Ferdy should be too great. But the girl was perfectly cool, and read the letter twice. After the second reading, she looked at her lover. "It's a conspiracy," she said, calmly. Anthony was puzzled. "What do you mean by that?" "Someone wants to prevent our marriage," she explained; "and so this accusation has been brought against Ferdy." "I can see that. Of course"--Anthony looked anxiously at her again--"of course, the accusation is ridiculous." "Perfectly ridiculous!" replied Clarice, quietly. "And yet," hesitated the soldier, "would anyone bring forward such a direct accusation, unless she had evidence to go upon?" Clarice, who had been musing, looked up, "Why do you say 'she?'" Ackworth pointed to the caligraphy of the letter, which lay on the table before them. "The handwriting is like that of a woman." "Men and women write exactly alike nowadays, my dear. Besides, if a woman had written it, she certainly would have assumed even a more masculine style of writing." "Then you think that the letter was written by a man?" "Of course. Can't you think of a man who desires to prevent our marriage?" Ackworth considered for one moment, and drew inspiration from her steadfast eyes. "Dr. Jerce," he said, suddenly. "Sir Daniel Jerce! Give him his proper title!" "What makes you think that?" "Several things. One is that Sir Daniel quoted the slip betwixt cup and lip proverb. In fact, he hinted, more in manner than words, that I should never become your wife." "Confounded cheek!" said Anthony, seating himself--he had been standing hitherto. "What right has he to interfere?" "The right of a man who is in love with a woman," said Clarice. "With an engaged woman," corrected Anthony. "Humph!" He took up the letter again. "Do you really think----" "I am certain of it." "But a man in such a position--a great doctor--a famous medical man--surely would not----" Clarice again did not allow him to finish. "Yes, he would, if he wanted his own way, as Sir Daniel Jerce wants his. You see, Anthony dear, that Sir Daniel had always gained his ends by force of will. He tried to dominate me, but I was too strong for him. Naturally, he is irritated, and thus is ready to condescend to this"---she pointed to the letter--"in order to gain his ends." "Well, I'm hanged. But you can't be certain." "I'll soon find out if I can be certain." "In what way--by what means?" "I'll ask Sir Daniel himself if he wrote the letter!" "He will deny that he did," rejoined Ackworth, quickly. "You trust a woman to get at the truth, denial or no denial," said Miss Baird, coolly. "And there's another thing, Anthony. Ferdy is perfectly innocent." "Of course," hesitated the Captain; "still, can you prove it?"