They found a secluded arbour at the bottom of what was called the Laurel Walk from its hedges, and there sat down comfortably. It was quite a place for lovers, and being springtime, they should have paid their devotions to Cupid. But matters were much too serious for trifling of this sort, and the golden hour was filled with the discussion of important matters. Edwin's very first remark made Claudia angry--and with her lover. "Lady Wyke has ben persecuting me with personal attentions and with letters." "Oh!" The girl's eyes flashed and her cheeks grew red. "Why didn't you tell me, Edwin?" "I didn't wish to worry you, dear." "Your worries are my worries, Edwin. I wish to be your comrade as well as your wife. I think it is very unkind of you to keep silent." "Well, you know, Claudia, a fellow does feel a bit of an ass in talking about a woman running after him. Spare my blushes!" "It's all very well turning it into a joke, Edwin," cried the girl, indignantly, "but it is no joke. Lady Wyke is a most dangerous woman." "Why, what harm can she do?" "She can hurt my father, if her last threat is to be believed." "Ah, but is it to be believed?" questioned the young man shrewdly. "Yes it is. Lady Wyke is growing old, and, as you know, there is no fool like an old fool. She has fallen in love with you, and will move and earth to get you as her husband." Edwin frowned. "That is quite true." Then he smiled. "She has asked me to afternoon tea." "Oh, what impertinence! You won't go." "I leave the decision to you, Claudia," said Craver, drily. "What does she wish to see you about?" "I understand from her that she will explain when I call, not before." There was silence for quite a minute. "You had better go, Edwin," said, Claudia, becoming more her reasonable resolute self, and speaking decisively. "I am quite sure that Lady Wyke suspects my father with something in connection with the death of her husband. She may even believe that he is guilty. Perhaps I was foolish not to stay on the cliffs and hear what she had to say. But I was in a rage. I only wanted to hurt her, and did so by laughing." "You cut off your nose to spite your face." said Edwin, with a shrug. "That is not like you, Claudia." "No, it isn't," she answered penitently. "Usually I am calm and self-possessed when there is trouble. But Lady Wyke makes me so angry with her insolence that I lose control of myself. How has she persecuted you, Edwin." "I told you. Nearly every day she has written to me at the factory, saying a great deal without making clear what she really does mean. Three or four times she has been in town, and I have had interviews with regard to the motor she bought. This was wrong, and that was wrong, when, as a matter of fact, nothing was wrong. Then she wrote inviting me to take her to the theatre; she asked me to dinner; she sent me a box of cigarettes----" "Oh!" Claudia was furious. "You returned the cigarettes?"