Sadly, Henry returned to Penford-bourne.  On the way, he overheard a conversation between Walter Dixon and Gabriel Jones, which made it clear that they were privy to a plot having for its object the ruin of Frank Masterton.  He at once placed them both under arrest, and hastened to his brother’s side.  Frank obstinately determined not to move.  Only the intervention of Lady Eleanor induced him to promise to set out the next day.

But on the morrow Frank had an affair of honour with a mysterious man in black, with whom he had quarrelled the night before.

Henry found him bleeding from two severe wounds, and then having issued instructions for him to be removed to the house, rejoined his regiment, and at once gave the order to march.

He reached Lord Norwich to find all his trouble in vain.  Disaster had dissolved the forces of the Cavaliers, and Lord Norwich had reluctantly decided to abandon the attempt, and, disbanding his men, made the best of his way into Essex.  In the excitement of these events Walter Dixon effected his escape.

On his way back to Penford-bourne, Henry learned that Lady Eleanor’s husband was still alive.  He at once used this information to induce Frank to leave the side of Lady Eleanor, and, in spite of his wounds, to accompany him back to Devonshire.  As the lovers parted, Henry overheard their last words.

“Then I rely on you,” said Frank, in a hasty voice.  “You will not, surely you will not fail me?”

“By all I hold dear on earth and beyond the earth,” she replied, in low, thrilling tones.

III.—­Days of Gloom

To Lord Masterton Frank related the story of how he had been wounded in the early part of the campaign and had been compelled to hand over the command of his regiment to his brother.  This piece of fiction set all awkward questions at rest, and the old lord, satisfied that his son and heir had covered himself with honour, hastened to arrange for his nuptials with Lady Emily.

Both to Henry and to the girl these were days of gloom, but Frank, on the other hand, was strangely happy and content.  His passion for Lady Eleanor was still unabated, and though, to gratify his father, he had consented to marry Lady Emily, he had already taken such steps to prevent their union as would leave his share in the matter undiscovered.

Dixon, though he had carried out his part of the bargain, had been disgusted to discover that the Council of State, on some specious excuse, refused to grant him the estates of Penford-bourne.

The day of the wedding arrived.  By some secret arrangement with the officiating clergyman, the service was unduly protracted.  But at last those words were reached which, if uttered, would make Frank and Lady Emily one.  Then, suddenly, armed men burst into the chapel and, reading their warrant, demanded the arrest of Frank Masterton, as a malignant lately in arms in Kent.  The bridegroom offered no resistance.  But it was different with Lord Masterton.  He boldly called upon the guests present to draw their swords.  A scuffle took place.  Suddenly, from the gallery above, the voice of Gabriel Jones gave the order to fire.  A volley rang out, and Lord Masterton fell dead at the feet of his son.