“I know too much,” the marquis began. “Hammond, I have something to say to you.” “Hadn’t we better wait till we are by ourselves?” said Hammond, with a significant look. “I have something to say to you as well.” The marquis glanced round, first at his wife and then at Despencer. “No, I cannot have too many listeners, for I have to crush a slander and to make a reparation.” He stepped to the door and opened it. “Come in, Gerald!” Captain Mauleverer came in, but not alone. Clinging to his arm, with downcast head, as if she almost feared to see her lover’s remorse, came Belle. “Great God!” As the oath burst from him all the blood in his veins surged up to Hammond’s heart, and ebbed away again, leaving him white and faint. It needed not for Belle’s father to speak, the mere sight of her convicted him. The marquis spoke, drawing Belle to him, and facing each of his listeners in turn with a brave dignity. “I have just learned, within the last hour, that this young lady has been made the victim of one of the blackest falsehoods ever uttered, a falsehood in which my name is connected with hers. It is true that she and I are connected. We have been connected for nearly twenty years, and all that time I have endeavored, rightly or wrongly, to keep the fact of our connection a secret from the world. How that secret has been penetrated I do not know; but now that I do know the damnable interpretation which has been placed upon my conduct, I am determined to proclaim the truth to the whole world. I cannot atone for the injury I have done her in the past, but I will at least do my best to guard her in the present. Hammond, this is my daughter.” A profound silence succeeded. The marchioness was frightened. Despencer was conscious of a faint emotion to which he had long been a stranger, and which he supposed to be honest shame. Hammond was too much moved to speak. Victoria hesitated only for an instant, then she went up to Belle impulsively and kissed her on the cheek. “Lord Severn,” said Hammond, slowly, as soon as he could master himself, “you have done me the greatest service one man can do to another, and you have crushed me.” “George!” ventured the marchioness. Her husband frowned. “Go home, Jane!” he said, curtly. And that great woman walked out of the room as crestfallen as a small urchin that has been caught doing mischief and spanked. Despencer followed of his own accord, without doing more than whisper to Hammond as he passed: “I never apologize, and I never commit suicide, but I mean to be very firm with that marchioness.” Victoria took her cousin’s arm. “And I couldn’t think why Mr. Hammond jilted me this morning,” she laughed. “I can’t think why he ever proposed to you,” retorted Gerald, smartly. And they, too, went out. The marquis stood silent for a minute, his daughter leaning on his arm. She had not yet dared to look up at Hammond. “Is there anything else that you would like to say?”