, fool! Audley have been so
poor a traitor! How guilty was she, if she had wronged him! And in the
midst of this revulsion of feeling, there stirred within her another
life. She was destined to become a mother. At that thought her high
nature bowed; the last struggle of pride gave way; she would return
to England, see Audley, learn from his lips the truth, and even if the
truth were what she had been taught to believe, plead not for herself,
but for the false one's child.

Some delay occurred in the then warlike state of affairs on the
Continent before she could put this purpose into execution; and on her
journey back, various obstructions lengthened the way. But she returned
at last, and resought the suburban cottage in which she had last lodged
before quitting England. At night, she went to Audley's London house;
there was only a woman in charge of it. Mr. Egerton was absent,
electioneering somewhere; Mr. Levy, his lawyer, called every day for
any letters to be forwarded to him. Nora shrank from seeing Levy, shrank
from writing even a letter that would pass through his bands. If she
had been deceived, it had been by him, and wilfully. But parliament
was already dissolved; the election would soon be over. Mr. Egerton
was expected to return to town within a week. Nora went back to Mrs.
Goodyer's and resolved to wait, devouring her own heart in silence. But
the newspapers might inform her where Audley really was; the newspapers
were sent for and conned daily.

And one morning this paragraph met her eye:--

The Earl and Countess of Lansmere are receiving a distinguished
party at their country seat. Among the guests is Miss Leslie, whose
wealth and beauty have excited such sensation in the fashionable
world. To the disappointment of numerous aspirants amongst our
aristocracy, we hear that this lady has, however, made her
distinguished choice in Mr. Audley Egerton. That gentleman is now a
candidate for the borough of Lansmere, as a supporter of the
Government; his success is considered certain, and, according to the
report of a large circle of friends, few new members will prove so
valuable an addition to the ministerial ranks. A great career may
indeed be predicted for a young man so esteemed for talent and
character, aided by a fortune so immense as that which he will
shortly receive with the hand of the accomplished heiress.

Again the anchor snapped, again the storm descended,