onsense,--absurdity! such a crime would soon have publicity enough."

Lady Grace gave a smile of compassionate pity at the speech, but said
nothing.

"I can't imagine how you could believe such a thing possible," said the
Viscountess, tartly.

"I can only say, my dear, that no later than last night Monsignore
assured me that, through M. Mazzini and the Bible societies, you can
make away with any one in Europe, and, indeed, in most parts of the
world besides. Don't smile so contemptuously, my dear. Remember who
it is says this. Of course, as he remarks, the foolish newspapers have
their own stupid explanations always ready, at one moment calling it
a political crime, at another the act of insanity, and so on. They
affected this language about Count Rossi, and then about the dear and
sainted Archbishop of Paris; but what true believer ever accepted this?"

"Monsignore would not hold this language to me," said Lady Lackington,
haughtily.

"Very probably not, dearest; he spoke in confidence when he mentioned it
to me."

"I mean, that he would hesitate ere he forfeited any respect I entertain
for his common-sense by the utterance of such wild absurdity. What is
it, Turner?" asked she, suddenly, as her maid entered.

"Four packing-cases have just come, my Lady, with Mr. Spicer's
respectful compliments, and that he will be here immediately,--he has
only gone to change his dress."

"Why don't he come at once? I don't care for his dress."

"No, my Lady, of course not," said Turner, and retired.

"I must say he has made haste," said Lady Lackington, languidly. "It was
only on the eighth or the ninth, I think, he left this, and as he had to
get all my mourning things,--I had actually nothing,--and to go down
to Lackington Court, and then to Wales, and after that to the Isle of
Wight, what with lawyers and other tiresome people to talk to, he has
really not done badly."

"I hope he has brought the chalice," sighed Lady Grace.

"I hope he has brought some tidings of my respectable brother-in-law,"
said the Viscountess, in a tone that seemed to say where the really
important question lay.

"And the caviare,--I trust he has not forgotten the caviare. It is the
only thing Monsignore eats at breakfast in Advent."

An insolent gesture of the head was all the acknowledgment Lady
Lackington vouchsafed to this speech. At last she spoke: "When he can
get horse-racing out of his head, Spicer is a very useful creature."

"Ve