“I beg to relieve you, Lady Lundie—­by means which you have just acknowledged it to be your duty to accept—­of all further charge of an incorrigible girl.  As Blanche’s guardian, I have the honor of proposing that her marriage be advanced to a day to be hereafter named in the first fortnight of the ensuing month.”

In those words he closed the trap which he had set for his sister-in-law, and waited to see what came of it.

A thoroughly spiteful woman, thoroughly roused, is capable of subordinating every other consideration to the one imperative necessity of gratifying her spite.  There was but one way now of turning the tables on Sir Patrick—­and Lady Lundie took it.  She hated him, at that moment, so intensely, that not even the assertion of her own obstinate will promised her more than a tame satisfaction, by comparison with the priceless enjoyment of beating her brother-in-law with his own weapons.

“My dear Sir Patrick!” she said, with a little silvery laugh, “you have wasted much precious time and many eloquent words in trying to entrap me into giving my consent, when you might have had it for the asking.  I think the idea of hastening Blanche’s marriage an excellent one.  I am charmed to transfer the charge of such a person as my step-daughter to the unfortunate young man who is willing to take her off my hands.  The less he sees of Blanche’s character the more satisfied I shall feel of his performing his engagement to marry her.  Pray hurry the lawyers, Sir Patrick, and let it be a week sooner rather than a week later, if you wish to please Me.”

Her ladyship rose in her grandest proportions, and made a courtesy which was nothing less than a triumph of polite satire in dumb show.  Sir Patrick answered by a profound bow and a smile which said, eloquently, “I believe every word of that charming answer.  Admirable woman—­adieu!”

So the one person in the family circle, whose opposition might have forced Sir Patrick to submit to a timely delay, was silenced by adroit management of the vices of her own character.  So, in despite of herself, Lady Lundie was won over to the project for hurrying the marriage of Arnold and Blanche.

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-EIGHTH.

STIFLED.

IT is the nature of Truth to struggle to the light.  In more than one direction, the truth strove to pierce the overlying darkness, and to reveal itself to view, during the interval between the date of Sir Patrick’s victory and the date of the wedding-day.

Signs of perturbation under the surface, suggestive of some hidden influence at work, were not wanting, as the time passed on.  The one thing missing was the prophetic faculty that could read those signs aright at Windygates House.