Leah returned smiling to her seat, delighted that she made him lose his temper, as by doing so she had recovered her own. It was so satisfactory to a deserted woman to think that a man whose love had cooled should go away uncomfortable. "And what a mercy he is gone," said Lady Jim, settling to read fashions. "I hope he'll stop in America with that Lola creature for the rest of his silly life. I suppose he won't turn over this page of his book of life, but tear it out." And in this she was perfectly right. He did. Towards five o'clock Lionel arrived. Although she had no intimation of his coming, she quite expected to see him, and was prepared to make any necessary scene. The young clergyman looked white and excited, entering the room so rapidly that the footman had hardly time to announce the title that he was losing. Lady Jim, recognising a crisis, came forward rapidly with studied emotion. "You know all--all," she said in a choking voice, and caught his hands. He was taken aback. "Yes, if you mean that your husband lives." "It is true, then--it is true"; she tottered to the sofa, and cast herself down with passionate emotion. "Say that it is true!" "I think so. But how do you know?" Leah sat up with a puzzled look. "Did you not get my letter saying that I had had a shock, and intended to consult Mr. Hall?" "Yes; but you did not explain." "I could not, seeing the position it places you in." "Never mind me. If Jim is alive, he takes the title. So this man came to you." "He did, and tried to extort money. Because I refused he hinted that he would buy your silence. I never thought that he would dare to go to Firmingham; but when you entered, a look told me all. But can you believe this story--it seems incredible?" "The police do not think so," said Lionel, grimly. Lady Jim dropped on to the sofa again. "The police!" "Of course. This scoundrel came to Firmingham, and said that if I gave him three thousand pounds he would keep Jim away from England so that I could enjoy the title. I learned the truth about this conspiracy of Dr. Demetrius, and then had Captain Strange arrested. To-day a policeman brought him to London. He is in prison." "Serve him right, the brute. Did he not tell you how he threatened me?" "No; I never guessed that he had come to you." "But he did, and said that if I gave him two thousand pounds he would bring Jim back. Failing me, he tried you at a higher price. I should have had him arrested, Mr. Hall says, but I could not. I was bewildered--quite bewildered. It seems incredible. Oh, Lionel,"--she laid her hand imploringly on his sleeve--"surely Demetrius did not behave so vilely!" "I fear that he did. The man, as every one in London knows, was madly in love with you." "I never encouraged him--really I didn't." "No," said Lionel, bluntly. "I do not think he was rich enough for you to encourage." "How can you think so badly of me?"