“I will hurl him from the proud position he now holds,” replied the other, “and immure him in the Fleet.”

“While I revel in the bliss he panted to enjoy,” cried the old usurer, chuckling.  “Take it altogether, ’tis the sweetest scheme we ever planned, and the most promising, Sir Giles!  But when am I to claim Aveline? when shall I make her mine?”

“You shall claim her to-morrow, and wed her as soon after as you list.”

“Nay, there shall be no delay on my part, Sir Giles.  I am all impatience.  When such a dainty repast is spread out before me, I am not likely to be a laggard.  But now, to the all-important point on which the whole affair hinges!  How am I to assert my claim to her hand—­how enforce it when made?  Explain that to me, Sir Giles, I beseech you.”

“Readily,” replied the extortioner.  “But before doing so let me give you a piece of information which will surprise you, and which will show you that my tenure of this great Norfolk property is not quite so secure as you suppose it.  You are aware that Sir Ferdinando Mounchensey had a younger brother, Osmond—­”

“Who disappeared when very young, and died, it was concluded,” interrupted Sir Francis, “for he was never heard of more.  And it was lucky for us he did so die, or he might have proved a serious obstacle to our seizure of these estates, for I remember it being stated at the time, by one of the judges, that had he been living, he might have procured a reversal of the Star-Chamber sentence upon Sir Ferdinando in his favour.”

“Precisely so, and that judge’s opinion was correct,” said Sir Giles.  “Now listen to me, Sir Francis.  It is quite true that Osmond Mounchensey quitted his home when very young, owing to some family quarrel; but it is not true that he died.  On the contrary, I have recently ascertained, beyond a doubt, that he is still alive.  Hitherto, I have failed in tracing him out, though I have got a clue to him; but he has enveloped himself in so much mystery that he is difficult of detection.  Yet I trust to succeed ere long; and my great business will be to prevent his re-appearance, which would be fraught with danger to us both.  I have a scheme on foot in reference to him which will answer more than one purpose.  You will learn it anon.  And now, to give you the explanation you require in respect to Aveline.”

And he stamped upon the floor.

“You are not about to invoke a spirit of darkness to our councils?” said Sir Francis, staring at him in astonishment and alarm.

“You will see,” rejoined the extortioner with a grim smile.

After a brief pause, the door was almost noiselessly opened, and Clement Lanyere entered the chamber.

“What has Lanyere to do with the matter?” cried Sir Francis, suspiciously regarding the promoter, who was without his mask.

“You will hear,” replied Sir Giles.  “Be pleased to inform Sir Francis, good Lanyere, how you come to be in a position to demand the hand of fair Mistress Aveline Calveley?”