ood and beautifully brought up--money and manners and
everything handsome about her--she is in love with Oliver, and he with
her--and just because you happen to find out that she is the daughter of
a poor creature who made a tragic mess of her life, and suffered for it
infinitely more than you and I are ever likely to suffer for our
intolerably respectable peccadilloes--you will break her heart and
his--if he's the good-luck to have one!--and there you sit, looking like
a suffering angel, and expecting all your old friends, I suppose, to
pity and admire you. Well, I won't, Lucy!--I won't! That's flat. There's
my hand. Good-bye!"

Lady Lucy took it patiently, though from no other person in the world
save Elizabeth Niton would she have so taken it.

"I thought, Elizabeth, you would have tried to understand me."

Elizabeth Niton shook her head.

"There's only your Maker could do that, Lucy. And He must be pretty
puzzled to account for you sometimes. Good-bye. I thought Alicia looked
uncommonly cheerful!"

This last remark was delivered as a parting shot as Lady Niton hobbled
to the door. She could not, however, resist pausing to see its effect.
Lady Lucy turned indignantly.

"I don't know what you mean by that remark. Alicia has behaved with
great kindness and tact!"

"I dare say! We're all darlings when we get our way. What does Ferrier
say?"

Lady Lucy hesitated.

"If my old friends cannot see it as I do--if they blame me--I am very
sorry. But it is my responsibility."

"A precious good thing, my dear, for everybody else! But as far as I can
make out, they _are_ engaged?"

"Nothing is settled," said Lady Lucy, hastily; "and I need not say,
Elizabeth, that if you have any affection for us--or any consideration
for Miss Mallory--you will not breathe a word of this most sad business
to anybody."

"Well, for Oliver's sake, if he doesn't intend to behave like a man, I
do certainly hope it may be kept dark!" cried Lady Niton. "For if he
does desert her, under such circumstances, I suppose you know that a
great many people will be inclined to cut him? I shall hold my tongue.
But, of course, it will come out."

With which final shaft she departed, leaving Lady Lucy a little uneasy.
She mentioned Elizabeth Niton's "foolish remark" to Mrs. Fotheringham in
the course of the evening. Isabel Fotheringham laughed it to scorn.

"You may be quite sure there will be plenty of ill-natured talk either
way, whether Oliver