“Lawyers are confidential agents,” said Mr. Quest quietly.

“Of course they are.  Of course, and it is their business to hold their tongues.  I may rely upon your discretion, may I not?”

“Certainly,” said Mr. Quest.

“Well, the matter is this:  Mr. Edward Cossey is engaged to Miss de la Molle.  He has just been here to obtain my consent, which, of course, I have not withheld, as I know nothing against the young man—­nothing at all.  The only stipulation that he made is, as I think, a reasonable one under the circumstances, namely, that the engagement is to be kept quiet for a little while on account of the condition of his father’s health.  He says that he is an unreasonable man, and that he might take a prejudice against it.”

During this announcement Mr. Quest had remained perfectly quiet, his face showing no signs of excitement, only his eyes shone with a curious light.

“Indeed,” he said, “this is very interesting news.”

“Yes,” said the Squire.  “That is what I meant by saying that there would be no necessity to make any arrangements as to the future payment of interest, for Cossey has informed me that he proposes to put the mortgage bonds in the fire before his marriage.”

“Indeed,” said Mr. Quest; “well, he could hardly do less, could he?  Altogether, I think you ought to be congratulated, Mr. de la Molle.  It is not often that a man gets such a chance of clearing the encumbrances off a property.  And now I am very sorry, but I must be getting home, as I promised my wife to be back for luncheon.  As the thing is to be kept quiet, I suppose that it would be premature for me to offer my good wishes to Miss de la Molle.”

“Yes, yes, don’t say anything about it at present.  Well, good-bye.”

CHAPTER XXVI

BELLE PAYS A VISIT

Mr. Quest got into his dog-cart and drove homewards, full of feelings which it would be difficult to describe.

The hour of his revenge was come.  He had played his cards and he had won the game, and fortune with it, for his enemy lay in the hollow of his hand.  He looked behind him at the proud towers of the Castle, reflecting as he did so, that in all probability they would belong to him before another year was over his head.  At one time he had earnestly longed to possess this place, but now this was not so much the object of his desire.  What he wanted now was the money.  With thirty thousand pounds in his hand he would, together with what he had, be a rich man, and he had already laid his plans for the future.  Of Edith he had heard nothing lately.  She was cowed, but he well knew that it was only for a while.  By-and-by her rapacity would get the better of her fear and she would recommence her persecutions.  This being so, he came to a determination—­he would put the world between them.  Once let him have this money in his hand and he would start his life afresh in some new country; he was not too old for it, and he would be a rich man, and then perhaps he might get rid of the cares which had rendered so much of his existence valueless.  If Belle would go with him, well and good—­if not, he could not help it.  If she did go, there must be a reconciliation first, for he could not any longer tolerate the life they lived.