"You needn't get so agitated, for I shall probably leave you Mr. Stanley to fall back upon, if this present marriage proves illegal. Lady Isabelle would be provided with some husband in any case."
The Dowager gripped the handle of her sunshade until it seemed as if it must snap, and turned purple in the face.
"Don't tell me I lie," pursued her tormentor, "it's not good form, and besides, if you want confirmation, look in Mr. Lambert's register at the chapel next door, where your daughter was married two days ago."
"Insolence!!!" gasped the Dowager.
"I ought to know," continued Miss Fitzgerald, calmly, "as I was one of the witnesses—you——" but she never finished her sentence, for the Dowager had hoisted her sunshade and got under way for the church door.
CHAPTER XXXII
THE TOP OF THE TOWER
After his disquieting interview with Miss Fitzgerald, Stanley felt the imperative need of an entire change of subject to steady his mind. This want, the secret of the old tower supplied.
No time could have been better suited for his investigations. Lunch was well over, the members of the house party were in their various rooms for an hour at least.