ss to your words."

Linton started, and grew deadly pale; for he now perceived that the
man must have been in the conservatory during the entire interview.
Hastening round to where he stood, his fears were at once dispelled;
for it was the Italian sailor, Giovanni, who, in the multiplicity of his
accomplishments, was now assisting the gardener among the plants.

"It is of no consequence, madam," said he, returning; "the man is an
Italian, who understands nothing of English."

"_You_ are always fortunate, Mr. Linton," said she, with a deep emphasis
on the pronoun.

"I have ceased to boast of my good luck for many a day."

"Having, doubtless, so many other qualities to be proud of," said she,
with a malicious sparkle of her dark eyes.

"The question is now, madam, of one far more interesting than me."

"Can that be possible, sir? Is any one's welfare of such moment to his
friends--to the world at large--as the high-minded, the honorable, the
open-hearted Mr. Linton, who condescends, for the sake of a warning
to his young friends, to turn gambler and ruin them; while he has the
daring courage to single out a poor unprotected woman, without one who
could rightly defend her, and, under the miserable mask of interest, to
insult her?"

"Is it thus you read my conduct, madam?" said he, with an air at once
sad and reproachful.

"Not altogether, Mr. Linton. Besides the ineffable pleasure of giving
pain, I perceive that you are acquitting a debt,--the debt of hate you
owe me; because--But I cannot descend to occupy the same level with you
in this business. My reply to you is a very short one. Your insult to me
must go unpunished; for, as you well know, I have not one to resent it.
You have, however, introduced another name in this discussion; to
that gentleman I will reveal all that you have said this day. The
consequences may be what they will, I care not; I never provoked them.
You best know, sir, how the reckoning will fare with you."

Linton grew pale, almost lividly so, while he bit his lip till the very
blood came; then, suddenly recovering himself, he said: "I am not
aware of having mentioned a name. I think your Ladyship must have been
mistaken; but"--and here he laughed slightly--"you will scarce succeed
in sowing discord between me and my old friend, Lord Charles Frobisher."

"Lord Charles Frobisher!" echoed she, almost stunned with the
effrontery.

"You seem surprised, madam. I trust your Ladyship meant no