To that latter determination he was guided by mixed motives,--by motives which, when joined together, rarely fail to be operative.

His conscience told him that he ought to do so,--and then the fact of her having, as it were, taken herself away from him, made him again wish to possess her.

And there was another cause which, perhaps, operated in the same direction.

He had consulted his mother, and she had strongly advised him to have nothing further to do with Miss Amedroz.

Lady Aylmer abused her dead sister heartily for having interfered in the matter, and endeavoured to prove to her son that he was released from his promise by having in fact performed it.