When eventually they returned homewards and reached London, it was to learn a sad and sordid story of Mark’s life during their absence, ending in his announced marriage with a certain Miss Pennington, a young lady whom he had met while she had been on a visit to Dynechester, and who was, so Mr. Baker affirmed, apparently in utter ignorance of the true character of the man she was about to marry.
Close investigation through other channels showed Val only too clearly into what a state his cousin had drifted, and other inquiries elicited the fact that Christina Pennington was undoubtedly a lady, and one who was to be saved from a shocking fate.
The friends with whom she was staying in Dynechester were friends of the Ambletons also, and from one of the heads of this family Val had obtained all he wanted to know about the Penningtons.
His anger against his cousin was unbridled at this moment.
He had had the greatest pity for Mark in the beginning, but for the man who had wantonly flung himself to ruin he had nothing but contempt.
On one point he was resolved. This marriage should not go forward.
He poured out all his heart to Grace, and told her of his resolve to put the truth before Christina Pennington and her parents, and, as we have seen, Grace had not wholly agreed with him in this.
“It is a delicate matter, Val dear,” she had said, gently, “and it must be handled delicately.”
For Valentine had a way of rushing at things too suddenly.
He was so honest himself, he hardly understood the meaning of diplomacy, and Grace not infrequently had to stand between people and his blunt truth.