That he should become enamoured of Phil’s sister was a contingency which had never seriously presented itself to Tor’s mind. As he had lived eight-and-twenty years without having succumbed to any serious extent to the shafts of the blind god, he had, not unnaturally, believed himself proof against all such winged darts; and he was more surprised and disgusted than he could well express at finding into what a mess he had driven himself. There was no doubt that Maud would soon have lovers enough and to spare, and of course she would make her choice amongst them; how could it be otherwise? And there was Lewis Belassis already in the field, with a powerful bribe at his back, and Maud seemed on the most friendly terms with him. She would be sure to engage herself to some one before long, and Tor would be forced to stand quietly by, dispassionately discussing her choice, and receiving the overtures of hopeful lovers who were anxious to conciliate the brother. Such a position was all but intolerable; yet so securely had he bound his own hands, that he felt utterly incapable of movement. He dared not cast off the disguise he had adopted. He dared not throw up the game he had begun to play. All he could do must be to hinder, as far as possible, any matrimonial schemes, until the real Phil was ready to take his place, and allow him, as Tor, to have fair play with the rest. Phil’s protracted state of vacuity awoke in his friend’s mind very uncharitable feelings, and Tor felt himself a most aggrieved individual. Maud’s caresses and confidences were bittersweet to him, and often nearly shook his determination to keep silence. Her love for him was so genuine and so strong, that he felt persuaded he could win her for his wife if he could but tell her who he was. But he would not burden her with his secret. That must at once raise complications and difficulties which would betray all to the world. He would never ask her to play a part, and destroy the innocent frankness and lightheartedness which gave to her her greatest charm. No; he must keep his own counsel, and guard her as carefully as he could; and meantime he suffered terrible pangs of jealous uneasiness with regard to Lewis Belassis. Maud and Lewis certainly had ample opportunity for becoming lovers if they were so minded, and Lewis grew more and more bewitched by his pretty cousin, as he saw her reigning in unfettered freedom at Ladywell, far removed from the petty restraints and annoyances that were always disturbing her equanimity at Thornton House.