Conolly shook his head.  “Who does know it?” he said.

“My brother George does; but he refused to tell me.  I shall not ask him again.”

“Of course not.  I can find it out for you.  But of what use will that be, since you think you ought not to write to him?”

“I assure you, Mr. Conolly, that if it only concerned myself, I would not hesitate to tell you the whole story, and ask your advice.  I feel sure you would shew me what was right.  But this is a matter which concerns other people only.”

“Then you have my advice without telling me.  Dont meddle in it.”

“But—­”

“But what?”

“After all, what I wish to do could not possibly bring about mischief.  If Marmaduke could be given a hint to come down here at once—­he has been invited, and is putting off his visit from week to week—­it would be sufficient.  He will get into trouble if he makes any more excuses.  And he can set everything right by coming down now.”

“Are you sure you dont mean only that he can smooth matters over for the present?”

“No, you mistake.  It is not so much to smooth matters over as to rescue him from a bad influence that is ruining him.  There is a person in London from whom he must he got away at all hazards.  If you only knew—­I wish you knew.”

“Perhaps I know more than you suppose.  Come, Miss Lind, let us understand one another.  Your family want your cousin to marry Lady Constance.  I know that.  She does not object.  I know that too.  He does.”

“Oh!” exclaimed Marian, “you are wrong.  He does not.”

“Anyhow,” continued Conolly, “he acts with a certain degree of indifference toward her—­keeps away at present, for instance.  I infer that the bad influence you have mentioned is the cause of his remissness.”

“Yes, you are right; only, looking at it all from without as you do, you are mistaken as to Marmaduke’s character.  He is easily led away, and very careless about the little attentions that weigh so much with women; but he is thoroughly honorable, and incapable of trifling with Lady Constance.  Unfortunately, he is easily imposed on, and impatient of company in which he cannot be a little uproarious.  I fear that somebody has taken advantage of this part of his character to establish a great ascendency over him.  I”—­here Marian became nervous, and controlled her voice with difficulty—­“I saw this person once in a theatre; and I can imagine how she would fascinate Marmaduke.  She was so clever, so handsome, and—­and so utterly abominable.  I was angry with Duke for bringing us to the place; and I remember now that he was angry with me because I said she made me shudder.”

“Utterly abominable is a strong thing for one woman to say of another,” said Conolly, with a certain sternness.  “However, I can understand your having that feeling about her.  I know her; and it is through her that I hope to find out his address for you.”