He coloured once more, he could not prevent himself from doing so.

“No,” he answered; “what makes you ask such a question?”

“I don’t know,” she said, laughing a little; “feminine curiosity I suppose.  I thought that you might be.  Good-bye,” and she went on, leaving Edward Cossey to the enjoyment of a very peculiar set of sensations.

“What a coward!” said Belle to herself.  “He does not even dare to tell me the truth.”

Nearly an hour later she arrived at the Castle, and, asking for Ida, was shown into the drawing-room, where she found her sitting with a book in her hand.

Ida rose to greet her in friendly fashion, for the two women, although they were at the opposite poles of character, had a liking for each other.  In a way they were both strong, and strength always recognises and respects strength.

“Have you walked up?” asked Ida.

“Yes, I came on the chance of finding you.  I want to speak to you.”

“Yes,” said Ida, “what is it?”

“This.  Forgive me, but are you engaged to be married to Edward Cossey?”

Ida looked at her in a slow, stately way, which seemed to ask by what right she came to question her.  At least, so Belle read it.

“I know that I have no right to ask such a question,” she said, with humility, “and, of course, you need not answer it, but I have a reason for asking.”

“Well,” said Ida, “I was requested by Mr. Cossey to keep the matter secret, but he appears to have divulged it.  Yes, I am engaged to be married to him.”

Belle’s beautiful face turned a shade paler, if that was possible, and her eyes hardened.

“Do you wonder why I ask you this?” she said.  “I will tell you, though probably when I have done so you will never speak to me again.  I am Edward Cossey’s discarded mistress,” and she laughed bitterly enough.

Ida shrank a little and coloured, as a pure and high-minded woman naturally does when she is for the first time suddenly brought into actual contact with impurity and passion.

“I know,” went on Belle, “that I must seem a shameful thing to you; but, Miss de la Molle, good and cold and stately as you are, pray God that you may never be thrown into temptation; pray God that you may never be married almost by force to a man whom you hate, and then suddenly learn what a thing it is to fall in love, and for the first time feel your life awake.”

“Hush,” said Ida gently, “what right have I to judge you?”

“I loved him,” went on Belle, “I loved him passionately, and for a while it was as though heaven had opened its gates, for he used to care for me a little, and I think he would have taken me away and married me afterwards, but I would not hear of it, because I knew that it would ruin him.  He offered to, once, and I refused, and within three hours of that I believe he was bargaining for you.  Well, and then it was the old story, he fell more and more in love with you and of course I had no hold upon him.”