"What is the obstacle?" asked Beatrice, very pale, and still doubtful. "I can tell you that," remarked Major Ruck, changing his attitude for the first time; "this young gentleman is married." "I was married," said Paslow, as Beatrice shrank back with a cry of amazement, and, as Vivian thought, of anger; "but my wife is dead." Ruck shrugged his shoulders. "So you say!" "So Durban says--so this death certificate says. I heard all about my wife's illness, as I went to the house where she died. I have seen her grave, and the doctor gave me this." He held out a certificate to Beatrice. "Do you not believe me?" "It is so strange," she murmured, taking the paper, and glancing at it in a scared manner. "And so untrue," said Major Ruck coolly. "You lie!" "I am not accustomed to be told that I lie," said Ruck, and his eyes narrowed to pin-points. Paslow turned his back on him contemptuously. "I care very little for that," he said. "You and your creatures betrayed me into difficulties, for which I have suffered bitterly. But now I am free, and you can harm me no longer." "Don't be too sure of that, Mr. Paslow." Beatrice saw Vivian wince, and came forward. "Whatever Mr. Paslow has done," she said, with dignity, "I am certain that he is an honourable man." "Bless you for those words, my darling." Major Ruck gave a short laugh, and did not seem so good-tempered as he had been. "An honourable man!" he repeated. "I fear if you knew all Mr. Paslow's life, you would see fit to change your opinion." Vivian restrained himself from violent words. "Of course you talk like that, because it is to your interest to stop my marriage. But I trust to a woman's instinct," and he stretched out his hands toward Beatrice with an anxious smile. She waved him back. "I must have an explanation first" "Beatrice!" "Vivian, I love you, I shall always love you; but can you expect me to blindly believe, when I am so much in the dark as to what all these things mean? There must be an end to these hints and mysteries. If you really love me, you will explain fully, so that I know where I stand." "I think I can do that," said Ruck, fondling his moustache. "Then do so," said Paslow, throwing back his head. "We know a great deal of one another, Major, so it may be to your interest to speak the truth," and he looked meaningly at the other man. "I never tell lies, unless they are necessary," said Ruck calmly. "In this instance the truth will suit me very well." Beatrice sat down, still holding the certificate of Mrs. Paslow's death, which seemed to be quite in order. "I am waiting to hear the truth," she said, "and hear it I will."