“Did not the girls remain?”

“No.  They took fright at the accident and returned home.  But here a fresh disaster awaited them.  Mr. Loach was dead.  He died suddenly of heart disease.  Selina at once broke her engagement with the American, and—­”

“And returned to you?”

“Strangely enough she did not.  I never saw her again.  After the death of the father the girls went to the Continent, and only came back after two years abroad.  Then Isabella, after vainly trying to get me to marry her, became the wife of Saxon, then a rising barrister.  Selina went to Rexton and shut herself up in the house she now has.”

“The house she did have,” corrected Cuthbert, “you forget she is dead.”

“Yes.  I tried to see her, but she refused to look on my face again, alleging that I had treated her badly by becoming engaged to Miss Saul.  That poor soul was buried, and then I shut up the house and left it as it is now.  I travelled, as you know, for years, and I am travelling still, for the matter of that,” added Caranby with a sigh, “all Selina’s fault.  She was the only woman I ever loved.”

“But was there not an inquest held on Emilia’s body?”

“Oh yes, and Isabella gave evidence as to the accident.  Selina was too ill to appear.  But there was no need.  The cause of the death was plain enough.  Moreover, Emilia had no relatives who cared to make inquiries.  She left very little money, so those she had, did not trouble themselves.”

“It is a strange story,” said Cuthbert, looking puzzled.  “Had you an idea that Emilia may have been pushed off the plank by Selina?”

“Certainly not,” rejoined Caranby indignantly.  “She was a good and kind girl.  She would not do such a thing.”

“Humph!” said Mallow, remembering the eagle nose and thin lips of Miss Loach.  “I’m not so sure of that.”

“Isabella, who was passionate, might have done it,” resumed Caranby, “often did I wish to speak to her on the subject, but I never did.  And after all, the jury brought in a verdict of accidental death, so there was no use making trouble.”

“Had Emilia no relatives who might have made inquiries?”

“I believe she had a brother who was a clerk in an office, but, as I said, she left no money, so he did not bother himself.  I saw him after the death, and the sight of him made me glad I had not married his sister.  He looked a thorough blackguard, sly and dangerous.  But, as I said, Emilia came of low people.  It was only her fine voice and great talents that brought her into the society where I met her.  I have never heard of her brother since.  I expect he is dead by this time.  It is over twenty years ago.  But you can now understand why Mrs. Octagon objects to the marriage.  She has never forgiven me for not making her my wife.”

Cuthbert nodded again.  “But I can’t understand why she should have consented at all, only to alter her mind when Selina died.”