"Because, after all, you are my child's father. Besides, you are a poor miserable creature, who can't look after yourself. I shall still continue to be your wife. We must be married again quietly and go abroad for a time, as was our original intention. Then we will come back, and I shall get a farm down the country near London, so that I can come up to look after the business. After this I shall manage the whole business myself You will be a cipher." "I always have been," muttered Walter. "Well, that is arranged, so we need say nothing more about the matter. Let us be friends. I don't love you--I can't respect you; but for the child's sake let us be friends." "You'll only bully me," said Walter hopelessly. "No," said Mrs. Fane, in a softer voice. "You poor creature, God forbid I should be hard on you. I am a strong-minded woman, but I am not a tyrant. I will look after you, since you are so weak, and do my best." "Thank you," said Walter, "you are very good." And he meant what he said, for the woman's superior will and mind enforced respect. Mrs. Fane looked at him in silence; then--a rare thing with her--she moved towards him and kissed him. "Let us talk no more about the matter," she said. "The old life is ended--the new has begun. Let us talk of other things." "The marriage of Calvert, for instance." "I owe Mr. Calvert an apology," said Mrs. Fane slowly. "I did not like him, but he has behaved nobly. But for his discretion the whole affair might have come out in the papers, to my lasting disgrace. I give my consent to the marriage with all my heart, and I hope that Laura will prove herself worthy of such a good man." So things were arranged in this quarter, and Walter Fane got off much easier than he deserved, considering his behaviour. Mrs. Fane told Arnold of her intentions, and then thanked him for his kindness. After Laura's marriage, which took place in a couple of months, they became the best of friends. And it was at the marriage that Mrs. Tracey appeared so beautiful in the character of a bride. "She's a clipper, is Gerty T.," said the happy bridegroom. "I'm going to take her to the States to show what a beauty she is. The business is humming and the money pouring in, so off we go to the U.S.A." "I wish you joy with all my heart, Laura," said Gerty, embracing the bride. "And Arnold's such a nice fellow, and you are so rich." "Yes, we are. We intend to take a place in the country, and be quiet people. Arnold and I like a rural life." "I hear Mrs. and Mr. Fane have gone abroad." "Yes. They will be back in a few months, and then they will take a place down the country also." "I suppose they couldn't stand the villa, after the tragedy?" "Who could? Since they left it no one has taken it, and the landlord intends to pull it down to exorcise the ghost. How is your mother, Gerty dear?" "Oh, she's happier than ever she has been. She seems to have grown younger since she shot the burglar."