"Oh! you call that a condition. It is well. I accept it." There was a veiled sneer in his tone. "Then, again," continued Bessie, "I made my father promise, if I gave my consent, that he would try to forgive Anthony." "What!--forgive and reinstate him?" asked Fox, sharply. "There was nothing said about reinstating him. I suppose that my father and you have talked about Hall, and everything that concerns the property, and that you understand the circumstances fully." "To be sure I do," said Fox. "Then, of course, I said nothing to him about reinstating Anthony, except in his old place in my father's heart. I believe that he will, himself, be glad to forgive the past. He cannot have cast out all the old love for, and pride in Anthony." "And he has promised that?" "He has promised to try and forgive him. And now, Fox--I mean Tony Crymes--you are ready to take me, knowing that I do not love you, and can only try to render you that love which will be due from a wife to a husband?" "Oh, yes! I take you as you are." Of course he would. It was indifferent to him whether Elizabeth loved him or not, so long as his ambition and greed were satisfied. "You see, Bess, I have a sharp tongue, and have made many enemies with it, who say in return sharp things of me, but with this difference--I say these things to their faces, they malign me behind my back. When we are married you will know me better, and not believe all you hear said of me." Bessie slightly shook her head, and stooped again over her carnations. "There is one thing further," she said; "you must help me to persuade my father to be completely reconciled to Anthony." "To be sure I will," answered Fox. "You want to see how good a fellow I am, in spite of all that is said of me. Here, take my hand, in token that I will do all you ask of me." He gave her a cold, moist hand. "And you promise me," she said, taking it, "on your honour that you will stand by me and back me up when I try to bring Anthony and my father together once more on the old terms?" His mistrust was roused, and he did not answer at once. Her frank grey eyes rested full on his face, and his eyes fell before her steady glance. "I will do what you will," he said; "but I do not suppose that your father will prove as wax in our hands, to mould as we like. Anthony has too deeply offended him, and Urith he will never see." They dropped hands, for at that moment Julian entered the garden. "I will go, see your father at once, and make trial in this matter," said he. "You will find him in his room; he is looking at some papers." Fox walked away, giving Julian a nod and a sneer as he passed, and entered the house. Julian came hastily up to Bess. "My dear Bessie! Is it true? Are you really going to take my brother? It cannot--it must not be. It is intolerable to be in the house with him when one is master, and he there only on sufferance; but to have him lord superior, and to be his slave!" Julian shivered.