He knew well that when he was not by to guard Geraldine, that her friends in the box would swoop down upon her and carry her off in triumph. There would be fond meetings, eager explanations, and all his treachery to her would be painted in its blackest colors. His only hold on her esteem, her touching belief in his truth and goodness, would be destroyed. He would stand forth in his true colors before her horrified eyes--a black-hearted wretch, the husband of another woman, who had sought by the blackest lies and foulest arts to lure her--pretty Geraldine--to irrevocable ruin. She would thank God that He had interfered in time to save her from him at almost the very last moment. Standish gnashed his teeth as he thought of her joy over her escape, for he knew well how she had secretly shrunk from him, though out of her wounded pride she had promised him her hand. He guessed well that all was explained between her and Hawthorne now, and that they were already betrothed lovers. If hate could have killed this pair in their exquisite happiness, then Clifford Standish would have sent a bolt of it to strike both of them dead. In his jealous fury he raged and swore almost constantly. The little room he occupied became stifling with the fumes of wine and tobacco that he used to solace him in his terrible defeat. But he was careful not to drink too much. He did not wish to stupefy his brain. He wished to keep it clear that he might plot new deviltry. Almost any man in his place would have given up the game after being so signally worsted by fate. Not so with Clifford Standish. The stroke of adversity only roused in him a devilish obstinacy, a determination to rule or ruin. Hate for Harry Hawthorne, and a mad passion for Geraldine Harding, drove him on to new wickedness. He spent a good part of the day in seclusion, laying his wicked plans, like a crafty spider weaving his web; then, disguising himself with a wig, beard, glasses, and cosmetics, dressed himself in a cheap new suit, and sallied forth to victory. No look of Clifford Standish remained except the stately walk, and even this he could change at will. So, later on, he imposed on Geraldine and Cissy as Jem Rhodes, the trusty friend of the fireman. But, before coming on his fatal mission, he had informed himself as to everything that was necessary to make the daring abduction he had planned an absolute success. He knew that Harry Hawthorne had become engaged to Geraldine through eavesdropping at the door when the Stansburys called on her. He had also heard her tell them that she and Cissy were to have a grand sleigh-ride with Harry, although it might be late in the day when he got off duty. The unsuspected listener smiled grimly to himself as he muttered: "You shall certainly have your sleigh-ride, my little beauty, but not with your Harry and Cissy--no, indeed!"