Vivian turned his back on her. "I left the court without a stain on my character," he said quickly; "and left England for the five months, telling my father that I was going abroad for my health. And my health was bad," he added. "I broke down under the vileness of it all. My father never knew the truth; nor did any of my friends. The case, since I was accused under another name, passed unnoticed. But Maud knew the truth, and so did Alpenny; so did Tuft his creature, and Major Ruck, another of his minions. They tried to make me vile by threats of exposure; but so long as I could bribe Alpenny by giving him money, no action was taken by him or Ruck. Maud I also kept----" "I had a right to the money. I am your wife." "I admit that you had the right," he said. "Wicked as you were, I acknowledged you as my wife." "Not to the world," she said sharply. "Because that would have made the marriage known to my father, and he would have cut me off without a shilling. After his death, when you found that Alpenny had the money, you refused to be acknowledged, although I asked you to come here as my wife. I had not then met with Miss Hall," ended Vivian significantly. "I see. You love her?" "With all my heart and soul." "And I love him," acknowledged Beatrice. "From what I have heard, I can see that Vivian is not to blame, you wicked woman." "Here," said Mrs. Paslow, advancing, "get out of my house. I have come here to take up my rightful position. The house is mine." "You will leave this place at once," said Vivian, his face dark with anger; "you can tell what you like and do what you like. Alpenny is dead, and I decline to be under your thumb any longer." "I shall stop here," said Mrs. Paslow, and sat down firmly. Vivian placed his hand on her shoulder. She jumped up in a fury and struck at him. "You dare to touch me, you thief!" she stormed. "You have spoilt my life--you have--you have!" Her anger choked her, and she tore at the lace round her neck; in doing so, she ripped the dress, and her hand caught unknowingly at something within. To the amazement of Beatrice, a chain of glittering gems was pulled from its hiding-place round her neck, and fell on the pavement. The jewels were diamonds, and they flashed, pools of liquid light, in the moonlight. "Oh!" cried Beatrice, guessing at once. "The Obi necklace!" Almost before the words were out of her mouth, Mrs. Paslow had snatched up the necklace and was flying across the lawn. Vivian would have followed, but Beatrice stopped him. CHAPTER XVIII WHAT ORCHARD KNEW "Let her go," said Beatrice, holding back the angered husband by main force; "only in this way can you keep her out of the house." "But the necklace," said Vivian, pausing, while his wife vanished amongst the shadows of the trees. "Are you sure?"