"Don't say that you have not been warned," said Ruck, backing towards the door. "As to myself, I shall search for the necklace, and get it. Lady Watson may know of its whereabouts.--Paslow, I congratulate you on a possible marriage----" "You cannot stop it, Ruck," said Vivian coolly. "Oh, I have no desire to do so. All I wanted from this lady was the Obi necklace. As she has not got it, there is no need for me to sacrifice my freedom. Miss Hedge, good-day; Paslow, good-day;" and with a bow, the Major took his gigantic figure out of the room. The two young people looked at one another in silence. "What does it all mean?" asked Beatrice helplessly. "You heard what Ruck said," answered Vivian. "He wanted to marry you for the necklace. As you have not got it, he will trouble you no more." "In any case, he would not trouble me," cried Beatrice indignantly. "Does Major Ruck think me a child to be driven into a match about which I care nothing? What influence can he have to make me do what he wanted?" "He was playing a game of bluff," said Vivian eagerly. "He cannot force you to marry him, nor can he stop my marriage. He could have done so before, because he knew that my wife was alive; but now that she is dead, his power ceases. And, Beatrice"--he paused and looked down--"how can I ask you to be my wife after what you have heard?" The girl looked at him in silence. Had she loved him less, she might have refused to answer his appeal. As it was, her love overcame the momentary anger which she felt at having been kept in the dark. At once she moved towards him, and placed her arms round his neck. "We are all sinners," she whispered; "and I love you too well to let you go." "God bless you, my darling," faltered Vivian, pressing her to his breast. "Let the past alone," said Beatrice, kissing him. "We shall marry, and live for one another. Look with me, Vivian, to a happy future." "My darling--my darling!" and Paslow fell on his knees. CHAPTER XIII THE EX-BUTLER It really did seem as though the course of this true love was about to run smooth. Durban, to whom Beatrice explained all that had taken place during Ruck's visit, heard what she had to say in silence, and seemed relieved when he heard the whole. "I am glad that Mr. Paslow arrived at the moment," said Durban, when the story was ended. "He and the Major now understand one another." "I never knew that Vivian was acquainted with Major Ruck." "He met him at Mr. Alpenny's town office, missy." "The Major seemed to threaten Vivian," observed the girl thoughtfully. Durban shrugged his fat shoulders. "That is so like the Major," he retorted carelessly; "he is all stage thunder. Now that he knows you have not the necklace, he will trouble you no more. Mr. Paslow is not rich, missy; and you have lost the master's money; still, I should like you to marry the man you love, and go away." "Why do you want me to go away?" she demanded peremptorily.