Doubtless that was her game; doubtless--doubtless! He had always known that a day would come when something of the kind would happen.

Piers was young, wealthy, handsome,--a catch for any woman; but--fiercely he swore it--he should fall a prey to no schemer.

When he married--as marry eventually he must--he should make an alliance of which any man might be proud.

The Evesham blood should mix with none but the highest.

In Piers he would see the father's false step counteracted.