"How the purely business aspect of things has altered within these awful twenty-four hours! Sir Alexander has become powerless to alter that will, and still lives. The longer he lives now, the better for me. While he retained his faculties there was always great danger he might make some change. Now there is no longer any fear of that. "What a terrible scene that was at the bedside! If I had known anything of the kind was about to occur, I don't think I should have had the courage to face it. I fear I would have gone the fatal length before I would have knowingly encountered it. It was so awful to hold her hand and swear such things in the face of the facts. But it is all over, and I am well out of it. Perhaps, after all, it is better the scene should have taken place. "I suppose I shall be much at the Castle now. In fact, I don't know who is to give any orders now if I do not. It will be all thrown on me, I can plainly see that. Often at the Castle means meeting her often, and meeting her often means that we shall be good friends. "How long did we stand hand-in-hand this evening? Not long. I did not note her beauty then, but now I can call back the face and change the surroundings---- "No, no! I must not sell the Manor. A man in my position must have a house for--I may marry again." He set his teeth and clenched his hands, and drove the nails of his fingers into his palms. Then he faced the position resolutely: "A while ago I shirked looking into the future across an open grave. But my own grave is open too. Can I fill it up? I think I can. Self-preservation is the first law. I cannot get back my five thousand pounds from the _Rodwell_. I cannot get back my wife from the Weeslade: can I get back my life? That is the question of questions, and it is idle out of feeble sentimentalism to defer looking at such grave business in a straightforward and candid way. "I must marry, and I must marry this girl. Nothing else can save me, and I think nothing can prevent my doing it. I hold the winning cards in my hand at last, and I mean to win." The old gentleman here broke in upon the banker's reverie with: "We are passing your house, Mr. Grey." "Ah, so we are; thank you. Drop me here; I'll walk up, and you take the fly on. I hope you will find your son all safe." "God grant it! I hope you will find your wife at the house." "Thank you; good-night." "Good-night." Grey turned into the Park, and walked slowly in the direction of his house.