‘We must find that will!’ cried Miss Marjory, with energy. ‘It must be hidden away somewhere. But where can it be?’ ‘I am much afraid it must have perished. The house Mr. Debenham lived in has been pulled down and rebuilt, and the furniture sold. You may be sure Belassis would have made an exhaustive search, if his suspicions had been excited, as is likely enough.’ ‘If his were not, his wife’s would be,’ said Miss Marjory decidedly. ‘Those two Belassis’, husband and wife, are as big a pair of knaves as ever walked the earth.’ The door opened, and the servant announced: ‘Mrs. Belassis.’ ‘Talk of——’ began Miss Marjory. ‘Show her in,’ said Tor aloud; adding, in a low voice, ‘What can she have come for?’ ‘Mischief,’ answered Miss Marjory, her eyes sparkling. ‘May I stay?’ ‘By all means.’ ‘If she is too disagreeable. I shall put in my word. I can silence her if needful.’ There was no time for more, for Mrs. Belassis was at the door. Tor rose to receive her; but his greeting was somewhat cold. After their last passage-at-arms, Mrs. Belassis had not disguised her unfriendly feelings. Miss Marjory merely bowed slightly; and the keen brightness and alertness of her gaze did not altogether please the visitor. ‘I have come to see you on business,’ said she, as she seated herself and looked at Tor. ‘I shall be happy to give your business all possible consideration,’ he answered politely. ‘It is not _my_ business,’ said Mrs. Belassis, with significance. ‘But it is of a private nature;’ and here she looked at Miss Marjory, who did not stir. ‘Does the privacy of its nature concern you or me?’ questioned Tor. ‘You, of course. Do you imagine I should discuss my private affairs with _you_?’ ‘And yet,’ remarked Tor, with a smile, ‘you expect me, it would seem, to discuss my private affairs with you.’ ‘I shall give you no option,’ said Mrs. Belassis, with acrimony; ‘but remember they are private.’ Again she looked at Miss Marjory, who merely smiled, not altogether without malice. ‘I have a taste for dabbling in other people’s private affairs,’ she said audaciously. ‘I think you would be surprised if you knew some of the things I know about the lives of people almost unknown to me.’ Mrs. Belassis made no reply, but felt vaguely uneasy. Tor said quietly: ‘Miss Marjory Descartes is my very good friend. If what you have to say relates only to me and my affairs, she is welcome to hear it.’ ‘Oh, very well,’ answered Mrs. Belassis viciously. ‘If you have no sense of shame yourself, I’m sure I do not wish to spare you. All the world may know what I know, for aught I care. Indeed, they soon will do, and you will see then how far your precious popularity will carry you. You will find yourself in a felon’s dock before the next assize is over, if you do not play a very different game from the one you are doing now.’