‘You need not be afraid, aunt,’ said Tor; ‘you are in my house, not in my uncle’s.’ She gave a nervous smile, and then a sigh of relief. ‘I am afraid I am a sad coward; but living all those years in his house would have taken anyone’s courage away, I think. We were always afraid to speak out, Maud and I.’ ‘You can speak out now. I am most anxious that you should speak out.’ Tor rose, and began pacing the room slowly in the dim uncertain light. ‘Aunt Olive, I can see that you feel that this marriage ought never to take place. Is it not so?’ ‘But Philip, dear boy, I did not say so. How can you know? And Lewis is a very harmless young man, I think. Do you think badly of him?’ ‘Personally, I know no harm of him; but he is a Belassis.’ Mrs. Lorraine shook her head and sighed. ‘Think how much depends upon the marriage. Ten thousand pounds, more or less, for Maud.’ ‘It was a most unjust will,’ began Tor hotly; ‘iniquitous, I should have called it, had it not been her father’s.’ ‘And yours, Philip; your dear father’s will,’ put in Aunt Olive gently. ‘Poor, poor Philip!’ ‘Why did he make such an extraordinary condition?’ questioned Tor. ‘What could have induced him to take such a step? What was Lewis Belassis to him? I cannot conceive how such a scheme could ever enter his head.’ ‘Can you not?’ said Mrs. Lorraine. ‘I should have thought you could have seen.’ Tor drew near, and sat down once more beside her. ‘You mean it was under pressure he made it? You think Belassis compelled him?’ ‘How can I tell, Phil? Alfred Belassis did possess an extraordinary influence over him; but then your uncle declares that the will was against his wishes.’ Tor snapped his fingers contemptuously. ‘That for his word! Aunt Olive, let us be open with one another. We both have Maud’s welfare at heart, and we both distrust Belassis down to the ground. Yes, you do, my dear aunt; and you cannot conceal the fact from me. Shake off the paralyzing influence that residence in his house has thrown over you. Tell me frankly what you know, and what you suspect. Let us band together against a common foe, and let justice at last find out its lawful prey. Alfred Belassis is a scoundrel—you know that as well as I do—better, perhaps—and I mean to bring him to book before I have done with him.’ Tor spoke with quiet significance. Mrs. Lorraine put her handkerchief to her eyes, and gave one or two short gasps, almost like sobs. ‘Oh, my dear boy,’ she said, with a little hysterical laugh, ‘it is such a comfort to hear somebody talk like that—to feel that there is somebody to stand up against him at last. He has made so many lives miserable. He hardened my father’s heart against my dear husband, and he ruined us, and ruined your poor father. Oh, he is a bad, bad man, Philip; and I have begged and prayed that something might come to put a stop to his evil ways.’