"Yes. But they spoke so low that he did not know who they were, or he might have remained. As it was he ran away, fearful of being caught. He dropped the black patch to incriminate Alpenny, as I told you. Next day Ruck learned that Alpenny had the necklace, and how he had forced it from Mrs. Hall--that is from Lady Watson, your mother. The rest you know."
"How terrible!" said Beatrice with a sigh. "And my mother?"
"She saw the police, and substantiated Waterloo's dying confession. But the police acquit her of complicity in the crime. However, although as little as possible was published in the papers, she has gone to the Continent, and talks of entering a convent. And I hope she will like it," ended Vivian grimly.
"I am not sorry, for I never could have loved her, Vivian. But she is my mother after all, so I shall see her when we go abroad."
"You shall do what you like, dearest. We will be married as soon as possible and go to Italy for a year."
"Can you afford it, Vivian?"
"You can," he said, laughing. "Don't you know that you have two thousand a year inherited from your father? Lady Watson had spent it, but at Durban's request she refunded it out of Alpenny's legacy. We will not be rich, dearest, but we will be able to pay off the mortgage and restore the Grange, and live a quiet life together."
"That is all I wish for," said Beatrice, putting her arms round his neck. "I want peace after all this storm."
"You will have, darling," said Vivian, kissing her; "but we will first go abroad so that your cure may be completed. Jerry and Dinah will be married on the same day as ourselves."
"Not by Mr. Snow?" said Beatrice, shuddering. "I have no grudge against him: but his wife----"