?'

'Well, if I was you, I wouldn't have that Lady Lowborough in the house
another minute--not another minute I wouldn't!

I was thunderstruck; but before I could recover from the shock
sufficiently to demand an explanation, Milicent entered my room, as she
frequently does when she is dressed before me; and she stayed with me
till it was time to go down. She must have found me a very unsociable
companion this time, for Rachel's last words rang in my ears. But still
I hoped, I trusted they had no foundation but in some idle rumour of the
servants from what they had seen in Lady Lowborough's manner last month;
or perhaps from something that had passed between their master and her
during her former visit. At dinner I narrowly observed both her and
Arthur, and saw nothing extraordinary in the conduct of either, nothing
calculated to excite suspicion, except in distrustful minds, which mine
was not, and therefore I would not suspect.

Almost immediately after dinner Annabella went out with her husband to
share his moonlight ramble, for it was a splendid evening like the last.
Mr. Hargrave entered the drawing-room a little before the others, and
challenged me to a game of chess. He did it without any of that sad but
proud humility he usually assumes in addressing me, unless he is excited
with wine. I looked at his face to see if that was the case now. His
eye met mine keenly, but steadily: there was something about him I did
not understand, but he seemed sober enough. Not choosing to engage with
him, I referred him to Milicent.

'She plays badly,' said he, 'I want to match my skill with yours. Come
now! you can't pretend you are reluctant to lay down your work. I know
you never take it up except to pass an idle hour, when there is nothing
better you can do.'

'But chess-players are so unsociable,' I objected; 'they are no company
for any but themselves.'

'There is no one here but Milicent, and she--'

'Oh, I shall be delighted to watch you!' cried our mutual friend. 'Two
such players--it will be quite a treat! I wonder which will conquer.'

I consented.

'Now, Mrs. Huntingdon,' said Hargrave, as he arranged the men on the
board, speaking distinctly, and with a peculiar emphasis, as if he had a
double meaning to all his words, 'you are a good player, but I am a
better: we shall have a long game, and you will give me some trouble; but
I can be as patient as you, and in the end I shall certainly win.' He