On arrival at the Manor House they found Major Dundas and Gerald Arkel in the drawing-room. The Squire was not there to receive them, but almost immediately after they had entered, a message was brought to Miriam that he wished to speak to her alone in the library. Mrs. Darrow was alarmed. Surely the man was not going to chose this opportunity for betraying her eavesdropping? Then she reflected that even if he did she had it in her power to make it equally unpleasant for Miriam. Thus comforted, she fell to chatting with Major Dundas. In the library the Squire received Miriam. He looked particularly frail and old, she thought. Bidding her sit by the writing-table, he recounted to her all that had passed on the previous night between himself and his niece. But Miriam expressed little surprise. "I knew she hated me," she said, "and would gladly ruin me if she could. Why, goodness only knows. I am not aware of ever having done anything to offend her." "I know," snapped Barton. "You have committed the greatest offence you could commit in her eyes--that of being beautiful and young. That is more than enough to secure the enmity of the perambulating mass of vanity which we know by the name of Julia Darrow. But let us leave her for the present. She will keep--unfortunately. What about Jabez? Is there any truth in what she told me?" "Yes; it is quite true he came here last night--to get money from me. He is going to America; indeed, he may have started by this time. I feel that I shall never see him again." "That oughtn't to trouble you." "Perhaps not--but bad and selfish as Jabez has been to me, I can't help feeling it. What I have done for him I did freely; I expected no gratitude." "And you didn't get it. Well, that's the way of the world. But tell me, Miriam, what is he like, this worthy?" "You couldn't call him handsome. He is tall and very spare. His eyes are blue, and he has a freckled complexion. His hair is red." "No, it doesn't sound attractive. However, he's out of the way now, and I for one am glad; though I don't suppose he would have tried any tricks on with me." "I'm sure he meant no harm to you. Of course, if you had interfered with him, I can't say what might have happened. He has always had the most ungovernable temper. But I have never known him do anything right down wicked in cold blood." "Well, so much the better. I've enough enemies and to spare as it is. I shouldn't have interfered with him, even if he hadn't gone. I utilised him, as you know, merely to control you." "All that is past and done with now. There is no possibility of my carrying out your scheme. I want you to let me go back to London, Mr. Barton." "And there, what will you do?" "God knows! Begin all over again, I suppose." "You are absolutely without means!" "Yes, that is true. I gave him all I had."