"Well;—the fact is, I have an idea that something may be saved for the poor woman. I think that they are wronging her. Of course all I can do is to put the matter into a lawyer's hands, and pay the lawyer's bill. So I went to your cousin, and he has taken the case up. I hope he won't ruin me."
"Then I suppose you are quarrelling with Mrs. Van?"
"That doesn't matter. She has quarrelled with me."
"And what about Jael, Conway? They tell me that Jael is going to become Mrs. Musselboro."
"Who has told you that?"
"A bird."
"Yes; I know who the bird is. I don't think that Jael will become Mrs. Musselboro. I don't think that Jael would become Mrs. Musselboro, if Jael were the only woman, and Musselboro the only man in London. To tell you a little bit of secret, Johnny, I think that Jael will become the wife of one Conway Dalrymple. That is my opinion; and as far as I can judge, it is the opinion of Jael also."
"But not the opinion of Mrs. Van. The bird told me another thing, Conway."
"What was the other thing?"
"The bird hinted that all this would end in your marrying the widow of that poor wretch who destroyed himself."