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 influence with Ernest. Before this time Ernest's mother died and when he suddenly left Deodar Lodge, without warning Liane of his intention, she implored Ian Barr to say where his friend had gone; but, apparently with reluctance, he refused, pleading that to do so would be a betrayal of confidence. Certain that he corresponded with Bayne, Liane went to the steward's cottage when she knew he was out, and making a hurried search in his unlocked desk, found a letter to Barr from her lover. Forgetting to look first at the address, she read how a small fortune and a little estate in the country had been left by an aunt provided he took for his wife a distant cousin, whom she had practically adopted as her daughter. Ernest had seen the girl, liked her, and married her immediately, only letting his friend know when it was too late to give advice or reprove him about Liane.

While the girl was in the act of looking at an enclosed photograph of a pretty young woman, and before she had made sure of Ernest's address in France, Barr had come in and found her with the letter in her hand. He had taken it from her, and in pity for her despair had refrained from reproaches, and said it was too late to do anything now. Ernest was married and no good could come of reprisals.

Liane listened as if convinced, but though there were no promises of marriage in the letter she had, there were enough professions of love to distress the