"That is the best thing to be done," cried Frances, overbearing, and putting her head out of the window. "Colonel Towton, I desire a private conversation." "Do you wish me to remain?" Vernon asked his friend in a low voice. "No, no. I must see Miss Hest alone. I understand what she wants. Go with Miss Lucy. She has already reached the gate." "But if you want me----" "I don't. When I return you shall know everything." "What do you mean?" demanded Vernon anxiously. "Colonel, Colonel," called out Miss Hest again. "I must go. Follow Miss Corsoon and pacify the old lady," said Towton hurriedly, and hastened into the house, leaving Vernon much astonished by his behaviour. Had the young man known of Miss Hest's visit on the previous evening, he might not have been so perplexed. As it was, he hastened after Lucy, who by this time was rapidly gaining on her indignant mother, with a feeling that Towton knew more than he did concerning the present state of affairs. Which as he afterwards learned, was precisely the case. The Colonel entered the gloomy drawing-room to find Ida weeping on the sofa and Frances comforting her. Before he could say a word, the latter turned on him indignantly. "Why did you send that insulting woman here?" "She came of her own accord," explained Towton frowning at the speech, "and surely Lady Corsoon has not insulted Ida." "And me. She has insulted us both," cried Miss Hest angrily. "I should have had her turned out of the house had she not gone." "It was my fault by telling her that I was not her niece," said Ida in an agitated tone. "As if I could help that. But I won't trouble her in any way; she has never been kind to me. I shall not set eyes on her again." "But, Ida," said Towton, taking her hand and striving to speak cheerfully, "I want you to come to the Grange." "Not while Lady Corsoon is there, Richard." Frances drew a long breath of relief, which annoyed the Colonel. "Are you detaining Miss Dimsdale here?" he asked snappishly, for late events had tried his temper greatly. "Oh, no," cried Ida before her friend could speak. "As if Frances would do such a thing! But Lady Corsoon has been so rude." "You speak of her as Lady Corsoon?" "Naturally, since I am not her niece," said Ida simply. "When she leaves The Grange I shall be delighted to come." Colonel Towton flushed through his tan. "I am a bachelor, Ida," he said in stiff tones. "You can't come to my house without a lady is staying there. That is unless you will marry me at once." Ida placed her two hands on his shoulders and looked at him kindly through her tears. "If you will take a girl without a sixpence, I shall marry you as soon as you please, Richard." "Don't put his chivalry to the test, Ida," remarked Frances in somewhat acrid tones. "Colonel Towton knows that you have ten thousand a year." "But if this story is true----" "It's quite true, only there is a will."