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"My object," replied Mr. Scholefield, "was merely to ascertain that fact. Of course," he added, turning to Lady Julian, "you have no idea whom Sir Charles could have seen?"

"I have not, indeed."

"How should you have?" interposed the general. "You were in bed, were you not?"

"Yes; and had been asleep, but awoke just before Sir Charles returned. But what does he say, Mr. Scholefield? You have seen him, of course?"

"I have but just left him."

"Is he still labouring under this cruel delusion?"

"He appears to be very much excited."

"Of course!" cried the general. "He appears to be excited! That's an indispensable part of the plan!"

"You wrong him, father: be assured that you wrong him. This is no plan of his. I feel that he is incapable of any such meanness."

"Of course you do. I'm aware of that. And were he to crush you, you'd feel so still. You were a fool to marry him; and I was a fool to consent to the match. We're a couple of fools, and as fools he wishes to treat us. However, we shall see: we shall see about that: we shall see! We are not to be struck down so easily as he imagines. Mr. Scholefield: a word or two with you, alone."

"You will call and see us?" exclaimed Lady Julian, seizing the hand of Mr. Scholefield, as he rose. "You will not believe that I'm so guilty a creature. I am innocent: indeed, indeed, I am innocent."

"There, there!" cried the general; "that will do: that will do. Don't be a fool!" he added, kissing her affectionately, as the tears sprang to his eyes. "There: now be calm—quite calm: let us have no more of this."

Lady Julian, as they left the room, sank upon the couch, and when her maid had been summoned, they returned to the parlour.

"I was told how it would be," said the general; "I was warned long ago."

"Warned of what?"

"Of jealousy being the fruit of the match. If I had fifty daughters, and they were all as ugly as the devil, I'd never again consent to the marriage of any one of them with any man twenty years older than herself. Still I thought that Julian was really a man of honour."

"And I think that he is so still. That he has hitherto loved Lady Julian fondly, I have had opportunities of knowing."

"Well!" exclaimed the general; "we shall see! I'll go to him as soon as I feel fit to go. I'm only waiting until I get cool. It's of no use going to a man in a rage. But now, as regards this challenge. Will you promise to communicate to me the time and place of meeting?"

"I will."

"That is all I require. This you promise, upon your honour as a gentleman?"

"I do."