CHAPTER XXV.
MISSING AGAIN.
Gilbert Fenton was very glad to have made his escape from Lidford at last, for his mind was full of anxiety about Marian.

Again and again he had argued with himself upon the folly and uselessness of this anxiety.
She, for whose interests he was so troubled, was safe enough no doubt, protected by a husband, who was most likely a man of the world, and quite as able to protect her as Gilbert himself could be.

He told himself this; but still the restless uneasy sense that he was neglecting his duty, that he was false to the promise made to old Jacob Nowell, tormented and perplexed him.

He felt that he ought to be doing something--that he had no right to remain in ignorance of the progress of Marian's affairs--that he should be at hand to frustrate any attempt at knavery on the part of the lawyer--to be sure that the old man's wealth suffered no diminution before it reached the hands of his heiress.
Gilbert Fenton felt that his promise to the dead bound him to do these things, and felt at the same time the weakness of his own position with relation to Marian.

By what right could he interfere in the conduct of her affairs?
what claim could he assert to defend her interests?
who would listen to any romantic notion about a promise made to the dead?
He went to Queen Anne's Court upon the night of his return to London.