“Then he is a scoundrel, I thought as much.”

“No, he isn’t that.  But he has been weak, poor fellow, and harassed, and tempted.  And his mother has used all her influence.  I know now what she wanted me for.  Just for my money.  But I’ve been saved in time.”

“God bless me, this is very strange and dreadful.  You puzzle me awfully.”

“I will tell you the story, Rector, then you won’t be puzzled.  Do you remember once speaking to me about a girl you saw at the Manor lodge.  She was living there for a little.  Her name was Hart.”

“Yes, yes, a very handsome, queer girl.  I spoke to Mrs. Bertram about her.  She seemed to me to have taken an unjust prejudice against the poor lonely child.”

“Mr. Ingram, Miss Hart is engaged to Loftus Bertram, and he will marry her next Tuesday.”

“Beatrice, have you gone quite mad?

“No, I am as sane as any other girl who has got a shock, but who is resolved to do right.  Captain Bertram shall marry Nina, because in heart they are married already, because they love each other, as I never could love him, nor he me, because they were betrothed to each other before he and I ever met, because Nina was dying for love of him, and only marrying him can save her.  Oh, it was pitiable to see Nina, Mr. Ingram, and I am thankful—­I shall be thankful to my dying day—­that I saw her in time to save her.”

“Beatrice, this is very strange and inexplicable.  Where did you see Miss Hart?  I thought she had left Northbury.”

“She came back, because she could not stay away.  She is at the Bells’.  I saw her there to day, and I brought Loftus to her, and—­Rector, they love each other.  Oh, yes, yes—­when I see how much they love each other.  I am thankful I am not to be married with only the shadow of such a reality.”

“Then you never gave your heart to this young man?”

“Never!  I thought I could help him.  But my heart has not even stirred.”

“You did not seem unhappy.”

“I was not unhappy.  It always gives me pleasure to help people.  And Catherine seemed so bright, and Mrs. Bertram so delighted, and Loftus himself—­there was much to win my regard in Loftus.  I did not know it was only my money they wanted.”

“Poor child!  And yet you are wrong.  No one who looks at you, Beatrice, can only want you for your money.”

“Dear Rector, in this case my money was the charm.  Well, my money shall still have power.  You are my guardian as well as my trustee.  I want you to help me.  You can, you must.  I will take no denial.  Loftus and I have had a long, long talk this afternoon.  I have found at last the very bottom of Bertram’s heart.  He came to me to save him, and I am determined to be his deliverer.  One quarter of my fortune I give to Loftus Bertram, and he shall marry Nina, and his debts shall be paid, and his mother relieved from the dreadful strain of anxiety she is now undergoing, and Loftus and Nina shall be happy and good.  Oh, yes, I know they will be good as well as happy.  You will help me, Rector, you will, you must.”