“We must, Noel, as we have so little to live on.”

“Oh, one thousand a year isn’t so bad,” he answered good-humoredly.  “It may seem poverty to you, who have been used to millions, my darling; but all my life I have been hard up, and I am thankful for twenty pounds a week.”

“You speak as though I had been wealthy all my life, Noel.  But remember that I was as hard up as you before I married Hubert, poor soul.”

“Then, dear, you must appreciate the fact that we can never starve.  Besides I hope to make a name as a painter.”

“In the Colonies?”

“Why not?  Art is to be found there as in England.  Change of scene does not destroy any talent one may possess.  But I am not so sure, darling, if it is wise to leave England—­at least until we learn who murdered Pine.”

“Oh, my dear, do let us leave that vexed question alone.  The truth will never become known.”

“It must become known, Agnes,” said Lambert firmly.  “Remember that Silver and Chaldea practically accuse us of murdering your husband.”

“They know it is a lie, and won’t proceed further,” said Agnes hopefully.

“Oh, yes, they will, and Miss Greeby also.”

“Clara!  Why, she is on our side.”

“Indeed she is not.  Your guess that she was still in love with me turns out to be quite correct.  I received a letter from her this morning, which was forwarded from Kensington.  She reproaches me with marrying you after the trouble she took in getting the forged letter back from Silver.”

“But you told me that she said she would help you as a friend.”

“She did so, in order—­to use an expressive phrase—­to pull the wool over my eyes.  But she intended—­and she puts her intention plainly in her letter—­to help me in order to secure my gratitude, and then she counted upon my making her my wife.”

Agnes flushed.  “I might have guessed that she would act in that way.  When you told me that she was helping I had a suspicion what she was aiming at.  What else does she say?”

“Oh, all manner of things, more or less silly.  She hints that I have acted meanly in causing you to forfeit two millions, and says that no man of honor would act in such a way.”

“I see,” said Mrs. Lambert coolly.  “She believed that my possession of the money would be even a greater barrier to our coming together than the fact of my being married to Hubert.  Well, dear, what does it matter?”

“A great deal, Agnes,” replied Noel, wrinkling his brows.  “She intends to make mischief, and she can, with the aid of Silver, who is naturally furious at having lost his chance of blackmail.  Then there’s Chaldea—­”

“She can do nothing.”

“She can join forces with Miss Greeby and the secretary, and they will do their best to get us into trouble.  To defend ourselves we should have to explain that Garvington wrote the letter, and then heaven only knows what disgrace would befall the name.”