"Don't say any more, Lady Gridborough," he said. "It was my fault. I ought to have spoken--I see now what a fool I have been! My mistaken sense of honour has caused all this trouble; and grieved you very much, I see, dear Lady Gridborough. But how did you learn the truth--I mean discover that I had not wronged poor Susie?" "It was Mr. Rex here," said Lady Gridborough, her face all smiles now. "He's an extraordinary young man, and has succeeded in doing that at which we had all failed--opening Susie's lips. How he managed it, I do not know! Perhaps he can tell you." Derrick had got hold of Reggie's hand by this time, and was regarding him with a half-smiling interrogation; and Reggie was also smiling with that air of omniscience and supreme acuteness which sat so curiously on his boyish face. "A future wife should have no secrets from her future husband, as you will be the first to admit, dear Lady Gridborough." "'Future husband!'" echoed Derrick, with a surprise that was only momentary. "Yes," said Reggie, quietly. "I have won my angel. I don't deny that it was difficult; but this last business of yours settled it. You see, Susie felt that, if she told the truth, and showed up the right man--or, rather, the wrong one; for, if there was ever a 'wrong un,' it is----; but we won't mention names--Susie knew that she would be doing Celia a service; besides, Susie felt that she could face the world much more easily, if she had a great, hulking man beside her. And," he added modestly, "there were--ahem--other reasons." "I am sure there were," said Derrick, warmly; and he wrung Reggie's hand. "I congratulate you--both." "But how about this dreadful business of the robbery at the Hall?" said Lady Gridborough, suddenly growing pale. "So far as my son is concerned, madam," said Mr. Clendon, in his grave voice which had grown very gentle, "you will be glad to hear that it has ended satisfactorily; he has been proved innocent of the crime laid to his charge." "Oh, I'm so glad!" cried Lady Gridborough, delightedly. "But"--suddenly--"your son? You are his father? I didn't know--I thought his father was dead." "So I was, madam; to the world; but I have returned from the grave to find my son," said Mr. Clendon. "Well, I am glad!" cried Lady Gridborough. "You must both come and stay with me. Now, you won't refuse, Mr. Dene, will you?" She looked at Mr. Clendon pleadingly, and then with confusion and embarrassment, as they both remained silent. "My father's name is not 'Dene,'" said Derrick, who felt that the explanation would have to come sooner or later. "He is Lord Sutcombe." Reggie did not start; but, for the first time in his life, the young man looked nonplussed and discomfited; he regarded the father and son with a puzzled stare, then, with an exclamation, he cried,