The combat deepened. The game was a long one, and I did give him some trouble: but he was a better player than I.

`What keen gamesters you are!' said Mr. Hattersley, who had now entered, and been watching us for some time. `Why, Mrs. Huntingdon, your hand trembles as if you had staked your all upon it! and Walter-- you dog--you look as deep and cool as if you were certain of success,--and as keen and cruel as if you would drain her heart's blood! But if I were you, I wouldn't beat her, for very fear: she'll hate you if you do--he will, by Heaven!--I see it in her eye.'

`Hold your tongue, will you?' said I--his talk distracted me, for I was driven to extremities. A few more moves and I was inextricably entangled in the snare of my antagonist.

`Check,'--cried he: I sought in agony some means of escape--`mate!' he added, quietly but with evident delight. He had suspended the utterance of that last fatal syllable the better to enjoy my dismay. I was foolishly disconcerted by the event. Hattersley laughed; Milicent was troubled to see me so disturbed. Hargrave placed his hand on mine that rested on the table, and squeezing it with a firm but gentle pressure, murmured `Beaten--beaten!' and gazed into my face with a look where exultation was blended with an expression of ardour and tenderness yet more insulting.

`No, never, Mr. Hargrave!' exclaimed I, quickly withdrawing my hand.

`Do you deny?' replied he, smilingly pointing to the board.

`No, no,' I answered, recollecting how strange my conduct must appear; `you have beaten me in that game.

`Will you try another, then?'

`No.'

`You acknowledge my superiority?'

`Yes--as a chess-player.'

I rose to resume my work.

`Where is Annabella?' said Hargrave, gravely, after glancing round the room.

`Gone out with Lord Lowborough,' answered I, for he looked at me for a reply.

`And not yet returned!' he said seriously.

`I suppose not.'

`Where is Huntingdon?' looking round again.

`Gone out with Grimsby--as you know,' said Hattersley suppressing a laugh, which broke forth as he concluded the sentence.

Why did he laugh? Why did Hargrave connect them thus together? Was it true, then?--And was this the dreadful secret he had wished to reveal to me? I must know--and that quickly. I instantly rose and left the room to go in search of Rachel, and demand an explanation of her words; but Mr. Hargrave followed me into the ante-room, and before I could open its outer door, gently laid his hand upon the lock.

`May I tell you something, Mrs. Huntingdon?' said he, in a subdued tone, with serious, downcast eyes.

`If it be anything worth hearing,' replied I, struggling to be composed, for I trembled in every limb.