"Men like you do not break their hearts, Major." "There's some truth in that," admitted the Major; "our hearts are too tough. But, seriously speaking," he added, and his jovial countenance became grave, "you will be wise to marry me." "On the three grounds you mentioned?" asked Beatrice disdainfully. "On a fourth ground--or rather, I should say, for a fourth reason, Miss Hedge--I can protect you." "From what?" "I'll tell you when you are Mrs. Ruck." "I have no intention of being Mrs. Ruck," retorted the girl, her courage rising, as she felt that she was being driven into a corner; "and I do not understand these hints of danger, which are given to me so freely." "I gave you only one hint," said Ruck, his eyes on her face. "Mr. Paslow and Durban have given me others. What does it all mean?" "I should advise you to ask the two men you have mentioned," said Ruck, taking up his hat, "unless, indeed, you will change your mind and become the star of my life. As my wife, you will know everything; as Miss Hedge, I fear you must be kept in the dark. Come now, Miss Hedge, be advised. I am speaking for your good. I am a gentleman, well-off and passable in looks. Why do you refuse me?" "I can explain very shortly. I am engaged to Mr. Paslow." "You will never marry Mr. Paslow," said Ruck, his face darkening. Before Beatrice could ask the reason for this remark, the door opened, and Vivian, very pale and defiant, entered. "I heard your last words, Ruck," he said calmly, "and beg to tell you that you are quite wrong. Miss Hedge will become my wife in two weeks--that is"--he bowed to Beatrice--"if she will accept me as her husband." CHAPTER XII VIVIAN EXPLAINS Major Ruck made no remark, but stood silent and motionless, ever smiling, according to his custom. Beatrice, on the contrary, uttered an exclamation of surprise, and ran forward to throw herself into Vivian's arms. Suddenly she stopped. "Do you mean what you say?" she asked, hesitating. "I do," he replied firmly. "The obstacle I spoke of has finally been removed, and I am free to marry you." "Can I believe this?" murmured Beatrice, clasping her hands and looking down doubtfully. "For a long time you held back from asking me to be your wife, although you must have seen that I loved you. On the night Mr. Alpenny was killed you proposed, and I accepted you." "Ah!" said Major Ruck, smiling more broadly than ever. "Then," continued Beatrice, still addressing Paslow, "you again changed your mind, and said that some obstacle, which you then declared was removed, again prevented our marriage. Now you come once more and say much the same as you said before. How do I know but what you may change your mind again?" "I have never changed my mind throughout," cried Vivian impetuously; "there was an obstacle. I thought that it was removed, and then I discovered that it still remained: Now I have made strict inquiries, and I learn that I am free."