"That is," she added, coming so close to him that he felt her breath on his cheek, "if you really and truly are ignorant of the meaning of the words." "I swear that I am," stammered Vivian, turning red. "Then your secret has nothing to do with the black patch?" "No. I am as puzzled as you are over that. Well?" "Well," said Beatrice, looking over her shoulder--she had moved towards the door of her bedroom as he spoke--"I intend to go to the Grange, and I do not care whether you stop there or not. The worst is over now. I know that you love me----" "God knows that I do," he said hurriedly. "And He knows that I love you," she went on steadily. "I don't care what crimes you have committed, or what stops you from again asking me to be your wife. I love you, and I intend to marry you----" "Beatrice!" She threw up her hand to keep him at his distance. "Wait! I intend to solve the mystery of these murders myself. The two are connected; and when I find out who killed these two men, I shall be able to marry you. Is that not so?" "Possibly--that is----" "You need say no more. Tell Dinah that I shall come to the Grange this evening. For the present, good-day." And she went in and shut the door. Paslow stood where he was for a moment, then flung himself forward to kiss the wood of the door. "Oh! my love--my love--my heart!" he murmured; "what a dreary, weary way you have marked out for yourself. But I shall follow you along the path of shadows, and perhaps we two will emerge at length into the sunshine." He turned away, and, passing the kitchen carriage, knocked at the door sharply. Durban appeared. "I heard everything," said the servant, who was now more composed. "And what do you say, knowing what you do know?" "I say, let missy go on. It may be that God intends her to learn the truth, and right matters." "But Lady Watson has the money," Vivian reminded him. "She has everything," said Durban bitterly; "she always did have everything." Then, with an afterthought, "But what she really wanted, she never got, Mr. Paslow." "And what was that?" "Never mind. Least said, soonest mended. I will tell missy nothing, and you must hold your tongue also. Only let us guard her from danger." "I don't think there is danger for her, Durban." "Ah--hum--one never knows. There are those--but no matter. Let her go her ways. It may be that she may learn the truth, and put things straight." "She can never put them straight for me," said Vivian bitterly. "I can do that," said Durban. "Let missy go to the Grange. I go to London. You will have news from me." Paslow caught his arm as he turned to go. "You will not----" "I am too fond of my neck for that," said Durban, and went into his kitchen, while Vivian, full of sore thoughts and yet with a certain glimmer of hope, now that Beatrice was to take a hand in the game, went home to Dinah.