"Mine? Why, I never had the least influence with that headstrong girl, my dear Colonel. I'll go to-morrow and give her a talking to, and perhaps I may be able to induce her to return with me to London. But while she is the mistress of ten thousand a year she can defy me. Now, if The Spider can give me that fortune, as he declares, I shall soon bring Ida to see that she must behave like a sensible human being. I suppose Mr. Vernon told you of the letter I received? He hinted as much to me, though I think he should have held his tongue." "He did hold his tongue about your business, more or less, Lady Corsoon. It was Mr. Maunders who let slip the secret." "And what business is it of Mr. Maunders', I should like to know?" asked Lady Corsoon, putting up her lorgnette and looking haughtily at Towton. "This much--that he wrote the letter." "What!" Lady Corsoon bounded from her seat. "Then he is The Spider?" "No," said the Colonel prudently, who did not intend to tell his companion more than he could help, as he placed no reliance on her tongue; "but, knowing from yourself about the first letter you received from The Spider, and anxious to marry your daughter, he made use of the blackmailer's scheme to secure his own ends." "What audacity! Can he--Mr. Maunders, I mean--really place me in possession of Martin's money?" "I can't answer that for the moment," replied the Colonel carefully, "but at any rate by promising to do so he hoped to marry Miss Lucy." "He shall never do that," cried Lady Corsoon energetically; "unless, of course, he keeps his promise. Lucy must save me from----" She hesitated. "Mr. Maunders told me about your losses at bridge, and----" "And that I pawned certain family jewels," finished the lady. "Well, I never! To think he should discuss my affairs in this way. I have been a fool: I don't deny that I have been a fool, but there was no need for Mr. Maunders to let the whole world know." "The world is only represented by myself and Vernon," said the Colonel drily, "and your secret is safe with us." "But Mr. Maunders----" "He has his hands full. You won't see him again." "But in that case his promise----" "My dear Lady Corsoon, I do not think he will be able to keep his promise, for certain reasons which I need not tell you now. Better give your consent to the marriage of Vernon and Miss Lucy. They love one another and he will soon have a title and an income." "Did you invite me down with Lucy to forward that marriage?" asked Lady Corsoon with sudden suspicion. "Partly," answered Towton coolly, "and partly because I wished to enlist you on my side as regards Ida." "Oh, I am willing to help you, but as to Mr. Vernon--he is with Lucy now?" "Yes. They have gone for a walk." Lady Corsoon frowned. "Lucy could make a much better match," she said hesitating. "With Constantine Maunders, for instance." "At all events, he promises me ten thousand a year." "On what grounds?" "I don't know."