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ENERGY,
ENVIRONMENT,
AND SUSTAINABILITY
SECOND EDITION
Saeed Moaveni
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO
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to remove content from this title at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. For
valuable information on pricing, previous editions, changes to current editions, and alternate
formats, please visit www.cengage.com/highered to search by ISBN#, author, title, or keyword for
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Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product
text may not be available in the eBook version.
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Energy, Environment, and Sustainability © 2023, 2018 Cengage Learning, Inc.
Second Edition
WCN: 02-300
Saeed Moaveni
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright
SVP, Higher Education Product Management: herein may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means,
Erin Joyner except as permitted by U.S. copyright law, without the prior written
VP, Product Management, permission of the copyright owner.
Learning Experiences: Thais Alencar
Digital Delivery Quality Partner: Nikkita Library of Congress Control Number: 2021946427
Kendrick
Student Edition:
Director, Product Marketing: Jennifer Fink
ISBN: 978-0-357-67607-3
Product Marketing Manager: Taylor
Shenberger Loose-leaf Edition:
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Contents
Preface vii
About the Author xiii
Digital Resources xiv
PART 1
Basic Concepts 2
1 Introduction to Energy, Environment, and Sustainability 4
1.1 Basic Human Needs 5
1.2 Energy 16
1.3 Environment 20
1.4 Sustainability 26
Summary 32
Problems 33
4 Electronic Spreadsheets 90
4.1 Microsoft Excel Basics 92
4.2 Excel Functions 101
4.3 Plotting with Excel 107
Summary 115
Problems 117
iii
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iv CONTENTS
PART 2
Energy 122
6 Electricity 154
6.1 Current, Voltage, and Electric Power—Basic Concepts 156
6.2 Residential Power Distribution and Consumption 162
6.3 Lighting Systems 170
6.4 Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution 176
Summary 185
Problems 187
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CONTENTS v
PART 3
Environment 306
PART 4
Sustainability 428
14 Sustainability 430
14.1 How Does One Define Sustainability? 431
14.2 The Earth Charter 437
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vi CONTENTS
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Preface
vii
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viii P R E FA C E
Organization
This book is organized into four parts and 14 chapters; each chapter begins by stat-
ing the learning objectives (LO) and concludes by summarizing what the student
should have gained from studying the chapter. Relevant, everyday examples, with
which students can associate easily, are provided throughout the book. Many
hands-on problems conclude each chapter, asking the student to gather and ana-
lyze information. Moreover, these problems require students to make brief reports
and presentations so that they learn the importance of good written and oral com-
munication skills. To emphasize the significance of teamwork and to encourage
group participation, many of the problems also require group work; some require
the participation of the entire class. The main parts of the book are described below.
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Visit https://testbankfan.com
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P R E FA C E ix
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x P R E FA C E
Discussion Starters
Pertinent facts and articles serve as chapter openers to promote meaningful
discussion and engage students. They provide a means to understanding the
importance of what students are about to learn. A good way for the instructor
to use a Discussion Starter is by giving students a few minutes to read it at the
beginning of a class and then ask the students about their thoughts.
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P R E FA C E xi
Before You Go On
This feature encourages students to test their comprehension and understand-
ing of the material discussed in a section by answering questions before they
continue to the next section.
Vocabulary
It is essential for students to understand the importance of developing a
complete vocabulary to converse correctly about today’s pressing issues. This
feature promotes understanding of basic terminology by asking students to
state the meaning of new terms that are covered in a section.
Key Concepts
Key Concepts are highlighted and defined in special boxes throughout the
book.
Summary
Each chapter concludes by summarizing what the student should have gained
from the chapter. These summaries are designed to help students comprehend
and become proficient with the materials.
Key Terms
At the end of each chapter, key terms are indexed so that students can use
them for review or check back in the chapter for their meaning.
Supplements
Additional instructor resources for this product are available online. Instruc-
tor assets include a Solution Answer Guide, Image Library, and PowerPoint®
slides. Sign up or sign in at www.cengage.com to search for and access this
product and its online resources.
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
xii P R E FA C E
Acknowledgments
I am thankful to all the reviewers who offered general and specific comments
during the conception of this book, including Louis D. Albright, Cornell
University; Paul Dawson, Boise State University; John Gardner, Boise State
University; Thomas Ortmeyer, Clarkson University; William Rauckhorst,
Miami University; Malcolm M. Sanders, The University of Vermont; Chiang
Shih, Florida State University; and Sesha Srinivasan, Tuskegee University.
I also wish to thank Karen Chou of Northwestern University, Melinda Huff of
Harding University, and Ali Razban of Indiana University–Purdue University
Indianapolis for their feedback on the first edition.
I wish to acknowledge and thank the Global Engineering team at Cengage
for their dedication to this new book: Timothy Anderson, Senior Product
Manager; MariCarmen Constable, Learning Designer; Alexander Sham,
Content Manager; and Simeon Lloyd-Wingard, Product Assistant. Thanks are
also due to Rose P. Kernan of RPK Editorial Services. They have skillfully
guided every aspect of this text’s development and production to successful
completion.
Thank you for considering this book, and I hope you enjoy it.
—Saeed Moaveni
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About the Author
xiii
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"I can't permit you to speak to me like this," he protested. "I--I must
be the best judge of what is right and proper for my child. And Mary
is pretty certain to have her own way in the end. My good fellow,
you speak as if Mary's future was in your special keeping. Anybody
would think that you had fallen in love with the girl."
"I have," Ralph said calmly. "I love Mary with my whole heart and
soul. I can see the beauties of her mind as clearly as I can see the
beauty of her face under that crust of pride and arrogance. It will be
my task to remove the husk so that the flower can be seen in all its
loveliness. It may not trouble you much, it may be no particular
satisfaction to you, but Mary is not going to marry Horace Mayfield.
When the time comes, Mary will marry me. But I fear that there is a
time of humiliation and suffering and poverty before her first,
poverty in which you will have your share, Sir George. It rests
practically in the girl's own hands; she can take up the sunshine of
the future when she chooses."
Sir George shook his head; he was man of the world enough to see
Ralph's point.
The elder man had regained his equanimity now. He was sure that
Mary would do what he called the right thing. It was rather a
nuisance, and so forth, but then it was absurd to imagine that any
girl could imperil the good name of such a family as the Dashwoods.
As Sir George sipped his wine, he caught sight of his own head and
shoulders in a Florentine mirror on the far side of the room, and,
unconsciously almost, set his tie straight. It seemed incredible to
Ralph that the man could think of such things at such a moment.
But there it was. Sir George poured out for himself another glass of
wine.
"I can see that you are vexed," he said in his polished easy way. "As
a friend of ours you naturally would be. In addition, you are naturally
prejudiced against our friend, Horace Mayfield. So am I, but we
must make the best of it. After all, there are many standards of
honour. Mayfield is a business man; he has been trained to methods
which are not in accordance with our views. All is fair in love and
war, he would argue. We must not be too hard on our fellow
creatures, Darnley."
But Dashwood was talking again. Ralph was so lost in his own
gloomy thoughts that he had some difficulty in picking up the
thread.
"She never will do so," Ralph cried, forgetting himself for the
moment. "Rest assured that this hateful marriage will never take
place. You may look surprised, but wait and see. I have not finished
with Mayfield yet. After this evening is over, and I have heard Miss
Dashwood's decision for the last time----"
"I decline to discuss the matter any further, really I do," Sir George
protested. "My dear fellow, your remarks are in bad taste. As a
gentleman, you must see that such is the case. I must ask you to
change the subject."
Ralph placed a firm bridle upon his tongue. He had almost forgotten
himself; he had come very near to betraying the great secret.
"I beg your pardon," he said. "As you say, I am going too far. I shall
not err in that way again, but will leave you in peace to your cigar
and your claret. Perhaps I shall be able to get some music in the
drawing-room. The quietude of this house fascinates me, all the
more because I have not been accustomed to this kind of thing."
"I can understand your feelings," he said. "By all means leave me to
my cigar. It has been a very disturbing evening."
CHAPTER XXVII.
A WARNING
There were two ways of getting rid of Mayfield, the first being for
Ralph to declare his own identity. But by doing so he would go far to
defeat his darling ambition of winning Mary's love on his own merits.
Still, he had been prepared to run this risk if Mayfield's persecutions
continued. But now Fate had placed in his hands another weapon by
which it was possible to be rid of Mayfield and carry on the love
campaign at the same time. Whether this alternative would have to
be used without delay depended on Mary. Ralph meant to see her
now and force her to say what she was going to do. There was no
time like the present. In the silence and the moonlight this thing
should be done.
"My dear lad," she whispered, "I felt certain that you would come to
me. Sir George cares nothing so long as he has his comforts. Mary is
out of the room; she has gone up to see old Patience, so that you
can speak freely. This is a terrible catastrophe; it places that poor
child absolutely in the grip of the scoundrel. She recognises that;
she is prepared to bow to the inevitable. You have only to look into
her face to see what she is going to do. And I am to blame for the
whole miserable crime."
"My dear Lady Dashwood, how could you possibly avoid it?"
"Oh, you will know some day when the truth is told. Ah, if you had a
bare idea of what a miserable, wicked old woman I am. . . . But
there is no occasion to go into that here. The question is, can you
help me, can you do anything to prevent this thing? I used to pride
myself on the fact that I had a great deal of influence over Mary. But
when it comes to a question of family pride, I am helpless. Still, this
marriage must be prevented at any cost. If you will not speak out, I
shall be compelled to do so."
A murmur of relief came from the aged listener. Her face cleared
somewhat, but the tears were still dim in her eyes. At the same
time, Ralph's words were a great comfort to her. She laid her fingers
on his hand lovingly.
"I like to hear you speak like that," she whispered. "It reminds me of
your--of my dear son. Ralph, are you sure that you can carry out
your boast?"
"My dear boy, I promise freely. When you look at me with those
brown eyes and speak to me with that voice from the other side of
the grave, I could promise you anything. I feel that you have come
to save me; that my life is destined to end in peace. But I am afraid
that Mary is going to suffer yet."
"Oh, she is," Ralph said almost sternly. "It is good for her that she
should suffer. But I shall have no fear for the result after she is tried
in the furnace. Maybe I am no better than a Quixotic fool, but I have
my aim clear before me. And now I must see Mary for some
moments alone."
"I will send her to you," Lady Dashwood murmured as she rose from
the chair. "Ralph, you fill me with new hope and courage. I feel that
I am going to do some good with the remainder of my life yet. But
do not be too hard on the child, remember that she is more or less
what I have made her. And may she listen to the voice of reason!"
It was a little time later that Mary came in. She looked white and
weary; her eyes had a metallic gleam in them. All the same, she
flushed under Ralph's steady gaze. She murmured something to the
effect that she had no idea Lady Dashwood was not there.
"Never mind about Lady Dashwood for the present," Ralph said. "In
fact, I asked her to leave us together for a time. I have something
important to say to you, Mary. Come out on the terrace with me."
It was not so much a request as a command and Mary felt the hot
blood rising to her face. And yet she could not decline coldly with
Ralph's eyes on hers. He seemed to possess some magnetic
influence over her. Without a word they passed side by side out on
to the terrace.
"It is absolutely perfect," he said. "A good old house in a grand old
English landscape. And for three hundred years a Dashwood has
reigned here. Truly a thing to swell the heart with honest pride. No
wonder you are fond of it, Mary; no wonder you would make any
sacrifice to retain possession of it. But the price is too heavy.
Tomorrow you must send Horace Mayfield about his business."
"It is too late," Mary said coldly. "I have made up my mind. Other
women have made far heavier sacrifices than this. And I shall get
used to it."
"Never! You are not going to do it. I will not permit you to commit
this sin."
The girl's face blazed with anger, then her cheeks grew white again.
She would have liked to turn upon Ralph with passionate scorn, but
her sense of truth and justice held her back. For what he said she
knew to be dreadfully, hopelessly true.
"Yes, a sin," Ralph said quietly. "The deliberate violation of a
sacrament. You will go to the altar with a lie on your lips, your whole
life will be a lie. To my mind, one of the most horrible things is the
sight of a young girl who has married an old man for the sake of his
money. To me it is hideous. And your sin will be worse than that, far
worse. Picture it, think of it, Mary, before it is too late."
The girl's head drooped, in spite of her pride and her courage, the
tears streamed down her face, her frame was shaken by passionate
sobs.
"Let us argue the matter out from that point of view, then. Say that
a merciful Providence interferes to prevent this sin of yours. You lose
your fortune. Mind, there are many less likely things than this. Your
fortune takes wings and flies away. You are free from Mayfield, and
also you lose the Hall. What would you do then?"
"But you are picturing an almost impossible case. Such a thing is not
the least likely."
"Indeed, it is. The late heir to the estate vanished and never
returned. There was a violent quarrel, the facts of which are only
known to Lady Dashwood. Her son died far away without even
communicating with his relatives again. So far as we know, he may
have left a son behind him. He may have told that son everything or
nothing. But suppose that son finds out the truth. What is to prevent
his coming back and claiming everything? He would get the title as a
matter of course; he would get the estates also if he puts in an
appearance before another six months have gone by. If this
happens, you are no better than a pauper, Mary. What do you say to
that?"
"No, but I do. Mary, that young man lives. He will declare himself
and bring in his proofs before many days are over. He is the
instrument chosen by Providence to prevent this deliberate sin of
yours. Your reign at Dashwood is over; within a few days you will be
as poor as--as myself. Thank God, we shall save you yet."
A little cry came from the girl's lips and she stood like a white statue
in the moonlight.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
MORAL FORCE
It was some time before Mary spoke again. Ralph wondered if she
had any inkling of the real truth. He had perhaps said a little too
much, and perhaps, on the other hand, he had not said quite
enough. Suppose that Mary jumped to the immediate conclusion
that he was the heir. What then? She would ask him the question
point blank, and he would be compelled to speak the truth.
But Mary's perception was at fault for once. As her eyes sought
Ralph's face it was evident that she had not the remotest idea who
he was. And this was just as it should be, from Ralph's point of view.
For he was doing what the world would call a foolish and Quixotic
thing. He loved this girl with his whole heart and soul; he knew that
she was the one woman for him. But not yet; until that sinful pride
was humbled in the dust there would be no happiness for Mary. Her
character would have to be cleansed and purified in the fire of
adversity first. Ralph knew quite well what noble qualities lay under
that mask of pride and ice.
He could have called the girl his; he knew it. He had only to proclaim
his identity, and Mary Dashwood would have asked no better fate
than to become the wife of the head of the family; she might have
given her heart into the bargain.
But Ralph would have none of it that way. Mary should come to him
and sue for pardon; she should proclaim in all sincerity that love was
best of all. She should feel that there was something far better than
being mistress of Dashwood Hall. Then the truth might be told and
the old order of things re-established.
All this Ralph had worked out in his mind as a novelist works out a
plot. And Fate had played into his hands. A stern, hard time was
coming for Mary, but it would be the making of her in the end. Ralph
could see it all in his mind's eye as he stood by Mary's side and
looked into her troubled eyes.
"I don't understand," she said slowly. "I am afraid that I am not so
hard and resolute as I believed myself to be. And things have moved
so rapidly lately, that I am dazed. First comes the knowledge that
my father is--is----"
The girl hesitated and broke down. Ralph completed her sentence
for her. It sounded harsh and unkind, but the lesson had to be
learned.
"Is not the man you took him for," Ralph said. "His family pride is not
a durable article. To play his part properly he should have coldly and
politely told Mayfield to do his worst, and ordered him out of the
house. That is the course one has a right to expect from the head of
the house of Dashwood. But, alas, for the weakness of poor human
nature! Your father knows Mayfield to be an abandoned scoundrel,
and yet he makes a compact with him. A bargain is arranged
between them, and you are the price to be paid, Mary. And, upon
my word, your pride seems to me to be as hollow a thing as that of
your father."
"I am glad we have got back to him again," Mary said coldly. "Your
personal remarks are exceedingly distasteful to me. Who is the man
you speak of?"
"Oh, yes, yes. Several times lately I have asked who the man was,
but I could not succeed in getting a satisfactory reply. I knew that
Lady Dashwood was afraid of the man. He is not a bit like a
gentleman, but seeing that he was a Dashwood, I have always been
more or less civil to him."
"He does not think so," Ralph said with a smile. "In fact, he thinks
that you have treated him very distantly and haughtily. He hinted to
me that he was going to make you pay for it later. Still, a most
objectionable creature."
"I seem to be surrounded with them lately," Mary said bitterly. "But
why all this mystery and secrecy? If the man is the person he claims
to be, why did he not make his identity known long ago? Oh, he is
an impostor, defrauding Lady Dashwood. So long as he can get
money out of her he will do nothing."
"Then you know if the late heir to the property had a son?" Mary
interrupted.
"Indeed." Mary's voice was very cold, her face colder still. "You seem
to be glad."
"Never!" Mary cried passionately. "Oh, you make me hate you, you
make me forget how much I owe you. I could never become your
wife."
As if he had said the final word, Ralph turned in the direction of the
house. A world of passionate scorn, defiance, anger trembled on
Mary's parted lips. How dare this man, how dare any man, talk to
her like this? And yet at the same time the girl was fully aware of the
power and masterful purpose behind Ralph's words. She was glad in
her inmost heart to know that he cared for her so much. After all,
Mary had her dreams of love and romance like other girls. She was
dimly conscious of the sweet and tender womanhood that underlay
her pride and ice. And she knew that no scorn or invective could
turn Ralph from his purpose.
"Very well," she said resignedly. "You are a strong man, and I am a
weak woman. I daresay you imagine yourself to be paying me a
compliment. But I should put that dream aside if I were you, for it is
never likely to come true."
"It is no dream," Ralph smiled. "Nor is the happiness so very far off.
Now let me take you back to the house again, for it is getting late."
As Mary slipped her hand under the proffered arm, a gentle sigh
escaped her. She wondered why she could not be angry with this
man, why every word of his thrilled her and filled her with such
happiness as could not be expressed in words.
CHAPTER XXIX.
STRATEGY
"I don't see what you have to complain of," Dashwood was saying.
"I've done everything to please you. Here I am, a kind of mystery in
the house, living more or less on your bounty, whilst all the time I
might have been Sir Vincent Dashwood, with a fine property behind
me. And any time I want a few pounds you grumble."
"Meaning that I'm not one, eh? Well, hard words break no bones.
For the sake of peace and quietness, I've kept my claim from
everybody but you; to please you I have suppressed the truth till I
can get that certificate. And in return you promised me that I should
not suffer. And now you refuse me a paltry £500."
"I have not refused it you. I have not the money. And you have had
all my jewels, jewels valued at nearly £30,000. In my weakness and
folly I parted with the property which does not belong to me.
£30,000 in the space of a year! Where has the money gone?"
"Now if that isn't just like a woman," Dashwood growled. "I daresay
those stones were valued at the sum you mention, but to get that
for them is a different matter. To be candid, I pawned your gems for
less than a third of that money. And when I tried to raise a further
loan on the same security, I was met with a pointblank refusal. So
you see, I have not been so very extravagant after all."
"Begging your pardon, sir," the footman said respectfully, "it is not a
tradesman, and he said he must see you on the most important
business. The gentleman is Inspector Drake, the head constable
from Longtown."
The white face resumed a little of its colour and the teeth ceased to
chatter as the potent spirit got in its work. With an uneasy swagger,
Dashwood crossed over to the door, but his heart was beating thick
and fast and there was a great lump in his throat that he could not
quite succeed in swallowing. But the inspector of police knew
nothing of this as he responded curtly enough to Dashwood's
insolent salutation.
"And what can I do for you?" the latter asked. "This is a very
inconvenient hour for me."
"Very sorry for that, sir," the official said coolly. "But my duty is plain.
I should like to have a few words with you as to the fire at
Dashwood Hall."
"What can I tell you about that?" he asked. "I know nothing of it."
"Well, it's like this, sir," Drake proceeded to explain. "We have
established beyond all shadow of a doubt that the fire was not
caused by accident. Straw was laid deliberately on the floor of the
hall, and as deliberately soaked in petroleum. We found the rest of
the straw, and also we found the empty drum of oil, which had been
taken from one of the outhouses. All this must have happened in the
early hours of the morning. It was a very good thing that the
timbers of the house are so sound, or nothing could have saved the
place. As it is, the fire burnt itself out."
"But what has all this got to do with me?" Dashwood asked
impatiently.
"Half a minute, sir. I was merely telling you that this was the work of
an incendiary. Once having established the fact, we will get to
business. We searched in the ashes, and we were so fortunate as to
find this."
"We found this peculiar matchbox in the straw, sir," Drake went on.
"The theory is that it was dropped by somebody who was connected
with the fire. Suppose that the culprit was disturbed, or perhaps the
sudden blaze was so fierce that the box fell and could not be
recovered. I want to know if you have seen this box before?"
Dashwood turned the silver toy over in his hands for a moment.
There was nothing to be gained by concealing the truth.
"I understand your insinuation," he said. "As a matter of fact, that
box belongs to me, and, as I dare say you are aware, my initials are
engraved upon it. The box is a novelty in its way; I bought it some
years ago in America. Do you mean to say that this was found in the
ashes of the fire?"
"All the same, I'm afraid I must go a little farther, sir," Drake said.
"That box is yours and it was found in the ashes of the fire. It
appears that some time before the fire broke out one of the servants
at the Hall was called up to take a message to Mr. Mayfield, who is
staying in a farmhouse not far from here. The servant's name is
Walters. He went back to his quarters over the stables, and as it was
a fine night and he did not feel in the least sleepy, he sat by the
open window and smoked a cigarette. He says that a little before
two--close to the time when the fire broke out--he saw somebody
come from the direction of the house and cross the lawn. The figure
was moving rapidly, and apparently desired to escape observation.
When Walters was asked if he could recognise the figure in question,
he said positively that he could. I asked him to give it a name, and,
to make a long story short, he said it was you, sir."
"That is not the point, sir. The question is were you there?"
CHAPTER XXX.
"No thanks to that young man," Sir George grumbled. "I tell you he
was responsible for the fire. His matchbox was found there. Walters
saw him by the house. Why Lady Dashwood doesn't get rid of the
fellow passes my comprehension."
"But I have just been trying to explain to you, only you won't listen,"
Mary responded with some show of impatience. "There are the most
powerful reasons why Mr. Vincent Dashwood does not desire the
destruction of the house. Mr. Darnley told me all about it last night.
Vincent Dashwood claims to be the son of Ralph Dashwood."
He rose to his feet and paced up and down the room in terrible
agitation.
"Is this really a fact?" he demanded. "I cannot believe it, and yet,
and yet, I have met that fellow a good many times, and the oftener
I see him, the more does he impress me unfavourably. I see now
that there must have been some powerful reason why Lady
Dashwood should tolerate the man. But why did she not tell us at
once, why did she go on feeding him with money? for I can now
quite see why she was not in a position to do me a favour the other
night. If what you say is correct, Mary, then we are little better than
beggars. Still, the reason for all this mystery----"
Sir George broke out into feeble whinings, he grew almost tearful.
And as he became weak and sentimental, so did Mary grow harder.
If this crowning blow had to fall, then nobody should hear a word of
weakness from her. For her part she could have fought this man,
even if it had left her penniless before the world. She clenched her
teeth upon her lip to keep down the rising tide of bitter reproaches.
Then she turned to see that Vincent Dashwood, together with
Inspector Drake, had entered the room. The former looked heated
and indignant, for he had been giving a piece of his mind to the
policeman.
"I am glad to find you here, Sir George," he shouted. "The police are
making all kinds of accusations against me. They say, forsooth, that
I have tried to burn the house down, and all because a matchbox of
mine was found in the ashes. I suppose I am not the first man in the
world who has lost a matchbox. And I've been telling Drake here
that I have every reason that the house should not be injured."
The other man laughed defiantly. All the same he could not meet the
glance that Mary turned upon him. His bold eyes were turned to her
face, then they dropped as if looking for something on the floor.
"I'm very sorry," Drake put in, "but this is a serious matter. The
finding of that box, the mere fact that Mr. Dashwood was seen here
at the hour of the fire, all make it necessary for me to take certain
steps----"
"I must speak," Vincent Dashwood broke out. "I did not mean to
proclaim the truth, because I was not ready to do so. And there was
Lady Dashwood to be considered. Still, as I see that Mr. Drake is
prepared to go to the extreme length of arresting me for the alleged
act of arson, I am compelled to declare the truth for my own
protection. Drake tells me that he has lived in the adjacent town of
Longtown all his life, so he must be more or less acquainted with the
family of Dashwood. He knows, for instance, that Mr. Ralph
Dashwood left here forty years ago, and that his friends have seen
nothing of him since. I suppose that statement is not too much for
your intelligence, Drake?"
"I am quite aware that you are quoting facts, sir," Drake said grimly.
"Very well. I'm glad to hear that you believe something I say. It is
not generally known, but it will be clearly established before long
that Mr. Ralph Dashwood married an American lady, by whom he
had one child, a son. To go farther, I may say that that son now
stands before you. I am the only son of Ralph Dashwood, born in
lawful wedlock, as Lady Dashwood perfectly well knows, and
therefore the property belongs to me. There is no such person really
as Sir George Dashwood; as a matter of fact, Sir Vincent Dashwood-
-in other words, myself--is head of the family and owner of the
place. There is only one proof necessary, and that I hope to have in
my hands in a few days. I allude to the certificate of my parents'
wedding. And now, Mr. Drake, after hearing all this, can you suggest
that I should gain anything by burning this house down? If I had
had an impulse in that direction, I could easily have waited for an
opportunity of committing that folly in a safer fashion."
Drake was bound to admit that the astounding revelations made all
the difference in the complexion of the case. Sir George Dashwood
listened with a dark look on his face. Mary turned to the door to see
that Ralph Darnley was standing there. The mere knowledge of his
presence seemed to support and comfort her in this trying hour. Yet
she did not feel the poignant sorrow and sense of loss as keenly as
she should.
"Lady Dashwood will tell you so, at any rate," Ralph responded. "I
have taken the liberty of listening to what this gentleman had to say.
It so happens that I can throw considerable light on the story. As I
told you last night, I knew the late Ralph Dashwood very well,
though I had not the honour of meeting the man who claims to be
his son. Perhaps Mr. Dashwood will reply to a few of my questions.
Will he tell me, for instance, in what part of California his mother
lived?"
"I should say that is perfectly correct," Ralph said. "In fact, I have
every reason to know that it is correct. And the name of your
mother?"
"Alice Montrose. But where the wedding took place, I can't say just
now."
"That is also correct," Ralph went on in the same solemn way. "I am
in a position to prove that Alice Montrose was the wife of Ralph
Dashwood. It is the legal verification of the marriage that you seek?"
"I shall make use of you, no doubt," Ralph replied. "Your claim
appears to be a very strong one, and everything is going in your
favour. So far all you say as to the marriage of Ralph Dashwood and
Alice Montrose has been correct. You are in urgent need of the
certificate. Let me make the dramatic situation complete by
presenting you with the paper that you most desire. If you will look
at this long slip of paper, you will see that it is a copy, certified, of
the marriage in question. As you seem to be the person most
entitled to the paper, it is with pleasure that I place it in your hands."
"Is this real?" Sir George groaned, "or is it all some hideous dream?"
"It is real enough," Ralph said. "It is a case of 'the King is dead, long
live the King.' Pray allow me to offer you my congratulations, Sir
Vincent."
CHAPTER XXXI.
UNDER WHICH LORD?
And this smirking creature, with the red, grinning face and cunning
eyes, was neither. Mary knew him to be little better than a
blackmailer. And if he was the person he claimed to be, why had he
not come forward and proclaimed his identity before? She could not
believe that Vincent Dashwood had hidden his light under a bushel
merely because he was short of one particular document.
The girl did not believe that he would have spoken now had not the
awkward incident of the matchbox compelled him to do so. And here
was Ralph Darnley actually pushing forward the cause of the new
claimant and giving him the one proof that he needed.
And yet the thing was impossible; surely the walls of the house
would collapse about the head of so poor a ruler as Vincent
Dashwood. The old familiar objects around Mary filled her with a
kind of dumb pain. She was going to lose them all--the pictures and
the gardens, the horses in the stables, and the very deer that loved
her. What the future held for her, Mary had not considered. She
brought herself back to the present with an effort; she became
aware that Vincent Dashwood was speaking.
"That is easily explained," Ralph said in his grave way. "It was given
to me by Mr. Ralph Dashwood in circumstances that I need not go
into here. Primarily, the certificate was to have been forwarded to
the solicitors of this estate."
"Quite so, quite so," Dashwood said loftily. "Really, it doesn't matter.
The point is that my proofs are now complete. My idea was to do
nothing and say nothing till Lady Dashwood--my grandmother--had
become resigned to the change in the condition of affairs. It is
perhaps natural that the good lady should look coldly on me and
that all her affection should be for Mary here. And I am bound to say
that Mary has not treated me with the friendliness that I could have
wished."
Hot words rose to the girl's lips, but she checked herself with an
effort. Doubtless the new heir was doing his best to be agreeable,
perhaps he did not know how offensive he was.
Mayfield came in, glass in eye, serene and self-confident, his hard
mouth looking more like a steel trap than ever. The quiet triumph in
his eyes was not lost on Mary; she did not fail to note the gleam of
possession as he glanced at her. There was cold consolation in the
knowledge that after all Mayfield was powerless to hold her soul and
body in thraldom any longer.
The whole thing was so cool, so icily audacious, that Mary had no
words for reply. This man had accepted the change in the situation
with instant readiness, there was not so much as a shade of regret
in his voice. Mary had gone out of the sphere of his affection, and he
was prepared to drop her like an old glove. The blood flamed into
her face at this fresh humiliation; the pride of the family was serving
her badly now. Her trembling hands went out to Ralph. He saw what
was passing in her mind.
"Take me away from here," she whispered. "Take me out into the
fresh air or I shall die. What have I done to deserve this
degradation? And get my father to come, too. Has he lost all his
manhood that he stays here?"
They went out into the sunshine and the air at length, and
Dashwood was alone with Mayfield. The latter closed the door and
lighted a cigarette. There was a grim ferocity in his eyes that caused
Dashwood to turn sick.
"So you've done it, you rascal," Mayfield muttered. "I daresay you
will tell me that your hand was more or less forced. Perhaps it was.
And yet if I raise my little finger you will pass the next ten years of
your life in gaol."
"Don't," Dashwood said with difficulty, "don't talk like that. The cards
were all of them literally forced on me. Why should you mind?"
"Why should I mind? Why, man alive, you have 'queered my pitch'
as some of your dissolute companions would say. I was going to
marry Mary Dashwood, the great heiress, everything was ready to
my hand. A little later and the thing would have been accomplished.
Only one thing bothered me--I am at my wit's ends for some ready
money, which I must have before long. And, as things stand at
present, Mary Dashwood could not raise anything on her
expectations. But I was going to play the bold game and risk
everything, even my liberty, on this stake. I was never more
surprised in my life than when that fellow Darnley explained the
situation. I nearly gave you away."
"I saw that," Dashwood said hoarsely, "my heart was in my mouth.
It was very good of you to remember an old pal who----"
"Old pal be hanged," Mayfield cried. "I'd have betrayed you fast
enough had it been to my interest to do so. I saw my game like a
flash. They are going to let you into the thing without a fight. But
not for very long, my boy, so you had better make the most of your
time. As Sir Vincent Dashwood you are all right, you can play ducks
and drakes with the estate if you please; in fact, you are going to
start with a mortgage of £50,000. That sum of money you will pay
over to me."
"What for?" Dashwood asked uneasily. "Why should I do it?"
"Call it what you like. Call it blackmail. But I'm going to have it all
the same."
CHAPTER XXXII.
Mr. George Dashwood staggered into the hall at the dower house
with an exaggeration of grief that filled Mary with contempt. The
dethroned head of the house seemed to have no thought for
anything but himself. His eyes were filled with tears, his voice was
weak and tremulous with selfish emotion.
"What's the matter with the girl now?" Dashwood asked peevishly.
"Not one word of sympathy has she uttered. Children have no
feelings nowadays, Darnley. I suppose she was angry about the new
head of the house. What better arrangement could be made? It
would settle all the difficulties at once, especially now Mayfield is out
of the way. I thought that our young friend put it very nicely."
"Did you?" Ralph responded coldly. "I may not be a judge of these
matters, but I fail to see how you could accept that invitation. Of
course, a few days' residence at Dashwood to get your personal
belongings together would be another matter."
Dashwood crept away with many a sigh and groan, and Ralph was
left to his own by no means pleasant thoughts. He had deliberately
struck the blow, and now that it had fallen, he was inclined to be
dismayed at the result. It was very hard upon this feeble old man, it
was very hard upon Mary, but Ralph steeled himself for the fray.
Things were going to be worse yet, the lily was going to pine upon
the stem. Still, it would never do now to become infirm of purpose,
let the consequences be ever so bad. Yet, if the worst came to the
worst, it would be easy to sweep away the whole network of intrigue
and fraud by the raising of a finger. It was necessary that Mary
should learn her lesson to the last letter. That the girl would fight
hard against her misfortunes Ralph did not need to be told. That she
would refuse to eat the bread of charity at another person's expense
he was perfectly sure. He was still debating the problem when Mary
entered the hall again. Her face was very white; there were dark
rings under her blue eyes, which were now swollen with tears. The
girl flushed as she saw the sympathy in Ralph's face.
"Do not think me weak," she pleaded. "I am finding out that I am
only human after all. I have always despised tears, but the pain at
my heart was so great that tears brought the only cure for it. But I
did not come here to talk about myself. I have been telling Lady
Dashwood everything, and she has expressed a desire to see you.
What have you done with my father?"
"I'm afraid not," Mary sighed, "but won't you go and see Lady
Dashwood? She is upstairs in her sitting-room. Of course, she is
upset; in fact, she has been saying all sorts of strange things which
are beyond my comprehension. Why has she taken such a strange
fancy to you, I wonder?"
But Ralph did not appear to be listening. There was every prospect
of a painful interview before him. He passed up the stairs to the
pleasant room looking over the gardens which Lady Dashwood had
made her own. She signed for the door to be shut; as Ralph came
towards her, she advanced with both hands outstretched.
"You will guess why I sent for you," she said. "Mary has been telling
me everything. So the man who calls himself Vincent Dashwood has
made a bold move at last."
"He really didn't," Ralph smiled. "But had we not better sit down? My
dear grandmother, you are going to become a party to the
conspiracy. Let us no longer keep up the pretence of not knowing
the relationship in which we stand to each other."
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