"I shall never marry Mr. Paslow--never, never," cried Beatrice bitterly, and lifted a wan face to the mocking blue sky.
"But he loves you."
"And I love him. All the same--Durban," she broke off in her turn, "I want to hear all you know about Mr. Paslow.
"I know nothing, missy," said Durban, looking profoundly surprised; "he is poor but good-hearted, and I like him."
"You don't think that he--he would commit a crime?" asked Miss Hedge faintly, and clinging to the servant.
"No!" cried Durban, with great assurance. "What makes you think that?"
"Mr. Alpenny said----"
Durban did not give her time to finish. "Master would accuse any one of anything, to gain his ends," he said quietly. "He did not wish you to marry Mr. Paslow, because it was to his interest that you should marry Major Ruck."
"So he said. Do you know this Major?"
"Yes," said Durban, with some hesitation, "and a wicked man he is. If he comes to marry you, missy, tell Mr. Paslow, and he'll settle him."