The times., 1901-04-28
CHAPTER VII.


Lord Fylingdale resolved 20 marry
Molly. You shall hear by what cunning
this noble and virtuous person, this adorn-
ment and boast of the peerage, laid his
plans Tor securing the fortune and the
hand Of our Molly. He had persuaded the
simple old sailor to believe anything he
chose to advance; he had shown himself
in the eyes OF the girl that which women
admire more than anything else in the
world-possessed Of fearlessness and skill.
He had also shown himself ready to place
his courage and skill at the service and
for the rescue of a woman So far every
thing was prepared and in readiness for
the next step. But there We're certain OBJ
stacles still in the way. These he pro-
Ceeded 10 remove.
The Lady Auastasia, after the morning
prayers, at which she was a regular at
tendant, generally returned to her lodg-
ing. where she sat with her maid engaged
in the important affairs of the toilet until
dinner Lord Fylingdale was carried to
Lady Anastasia's lodging in the market
place
The lady dismissed her maid. you
have something to tell me. Ludovic,' she
said. Il cannot tell from your face
whether you are going TO deal truthfully.
] have had experience Of the other way.
Now. what is itE'
what / have come to say is important.
Anastasia, in this matter l have given
you my entire confidence. There have
been. / own, occasions when / have been
compelled But all that is over.
now confide absolutely in you and on you
alone. My interests are yours.
You have already given me that assur-
ance.' She implied, perhaps, by these
words that the assurance and the fact
were not identical.
What can ] give You except my assur-
Nothing. truly. But pray, go on.
hear that YOU have been playing the part
OF the knight errant and lighting for dis
tressed damsels. / laughed when ] heard
Of IL You TO fight on the side Of the an
gels2 Where are your wings, my Ludo-
Vic2''
'The thing happened exactly as I could
have wished. The country pumpkin who
carried her off had no knowledge of fence.
He could only lunge and he was half
drunk There was a great appearance of
desperate fighting because he was mad
with drink and disappointment ] played
with the fellow long enough 10 make
show Of courage and danger, then pink
ed him"
lis he dead?'
Il believe that he is in some kind Of
fever. Wen. AnaStasia, the result of the
affair is that I have now arrived at per-
friend the guardian
And with the Rirl2'
The girl matters nothing The first
part Of the business is done. You can
now go back to London
To go back to London she replied
You have done all 1 wanted done
here You have given me a very good
character. You have charmed the peo-
pie of the spa. You have fiattered the
girl and inspired her with discomfort.
Why should you stay any longerY
TO be sure l am at great expense,
and the bank is in a poor way. But
what are you going to do?'
"AnaStasia," F." he sat down and took her
hand. Il have enquired carefully into
the whole business. There is no doubt,
none whatever. that the girl is far rich
er than even her guardian understands.
She has a huge income, a great accumu-
lation of money and, what is more, a
collection of jewels which is in itself a
large fortune Go back to London to-
morrow or next day. Then sit down and
write a letter inviting the girl to stay