"More gossip," sneered Enistor. "Your artist friend appears to have informed himself accurately of the situation. But it matters nothing to you or to me, since neither of us has any right to interfere with Don Pablo's likes or dislikes. You are the one he loves, Alice." "I thought you said a moment ago that he was too sensible to fall in love!" The Squire shrugged his shoulders. "I meant in the silly way of boys and girls. Narvaez' love is of a deeper and more spiritual kind. He admires Rose as a beautiful girl; he adores you as a soul." "I don't want his adoration!" said Alice wearily, for it seemed hard that the usual wrangling should begin the moment she returned home. "You prefer Montrose's adoration no doubt. Well, I have no objection so long as I approve of the young man and he does what I want." "What is that?" "He must restore the money which your aunt left him." "I thought you did not care for the money, father?" "I care very much indeed for the money, although I have never emphasised the fact. Only because he has it did I even consider the possibility of your marrying him. I should much prefer you to be Narvaez' wife. However, we shall see when the young man arrives. Meantime you had better lie down as you seem to be worn out by your journey. It's waste of money to send you away." Alice bit her lips to keep back her tears and breathed a prayer that Eberstein should help her to throw off the deadly influence of the house. Even as she did so the relief came, and she felt a wave of vitality run through her body. The weary, languid sense of utter desolation left her; the colour returned to her cheeks, the brightness to her eyes and the strength to her whole being. Enistor saw the statue come to life, and in place of a wan, weak girl beheld a living, breathing woman, very much alive. He stared amazed. "What has come to you?" he demanded, startled and puzzled. "Love," said Alice quietly, "love and life instead of hate and death!" Enistor quivered, since he knew that the first mentioned forces were at war with himself and his dark Master. CHAPTER XI THE SPIDER AND THE FLY