"Lucy, if you talk to me like that--" began Beryl, and then restrained himself with an effort. "It is no use our quarrelling. Let me show you that I am not so careless of others or so hard-hearted as I seem to be. Miss Plantagenet wants a page. I found this lad in London selling matches. He was a messenger boy at a tobacconist called Taberley, and Lord Conniston got him turned out of the situation." "I don't believe that." "It is true. The boy told me himself. He will tell you if you like to see him." "I don't want to see him. Lord Conniston is too kind a man to behave in that way. He was fond of Bernard." "And that makes him perfect in your eyes," said Beryl, looking savage. "See here, Lucy, Conniston has left the army--so you see he is not so brave as you think." "He left so as to seek after Bernard," said Lucy, quickly. "Mr. Durham told me so." "To seek after Bernard," said Julius, slowly, "and I believe Bernard may be alive after all." "In which case you would give him up to the police." "No," said Julius with an emotion which did him credit, "I should never betray him. Lucy, if you can find out from Lord Conniston or Durham that Bernard is alive, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help him." "How can you help him when you believe him guilty?" "I might help him to escape. I don't want to see him hanged." "He won't be hanged if Lord Conniston and Mr. Durham can save him." "Ah!" Julius started to his feet. "Then he is alive." "I can't say. I have no reason to think he is. But I am hoping against hope," said Lucy, rising. "I merely state what was said. Mr. Durham and Lord Conniston both told Alice that Bernard was innocent." "They will find it difficult to prove that," sneered Beryl, with a white face. "I believe the fellow is alive after all. If he is I'll make it my business to find out where he is." "And then?" asked Lucy, starting up and facing Beryl. "Then it depends upon Bernard himself." "Ah! You would make him pay money to save himself." "I have a right to a portion of the estate." "You have not," said Miss Randolph, clenching her fists and all her languor gone. "Bernard is the owner of Gore Hall and of all the property, and of the title also. If he is alive, as I sincerely hope, his name will be cleared." "And then you will throw me over and try to become Lady Gore." "I throw you over now," said Lucy, losing her temper and coloring hotly. "How dare you speak to me like this, Julius! I will no longer be bound to you. I never loved you, but I have always tried to see the best side of you. But you have no good side. You are a mean, cowardly serpent, and if Bernard is alive I shall do my best to defend him from your snares." "But Lucy--" "Don't speak to me, and don't dare to call me again by that name. I give you back your ring--here it is!" She wrenched it from her finger. "Now leave the house, Mr. Beryl. I am mistress here."