you astounded me. It is not that I think much of myself, or of
my rank as belonging to me. I know that I have but little to be proud
of. I am very poor,--and not clever like some young men who have not
large fortunes, but who can become statesmen and all that. But I do
think much of my order; I think much of being a gentleman,--and much
of ladies being ladies. Do you understand me?"

"Oh, yes;--I understand you."

"If you are Lady Anna Lovel--"

"I am Lady Anna Lovel."

"I believe you are with all my heart. You speak like it, and look
like it. You are fit for any position. Everything is in your favour.
I do believe it. But if so--"

"Well, Lord Lovel;--if so?"

"Surely you would not choose to--to--to degrade your rank. That is
the truth. If I be your cousin, and the head of your family, I have a
right to speak as such. What you told me would be degradation."

She thought a moment, and then she replied to him,--"It would be no
disgrace."

He too found himself compelled to think before he could speak again.
"Do you think that you could like your associates if you were to be
married to Mr. Thwaite?"

"I do not know who they would be. He would be my companion, and I
like him. I love him dearly. There! you need not tell me, Lord Lovel.
I know it all. He is not like you;--and I, when I had become his
wife, should not be like your aunt Jane. I should never see people
of that sort any more, I suppose. We should not live here in England
at all,--so that I should escape the scorn of all my cousins. I know
what I am doing, and why I am doing it;--and I do not think you ought
to tempt me."

She knew at least that she was open to temptation. He could perceive
that, and was thankful for it. "I do not wish to tempt you, but I
would save you from unhappiness if I could. Such a marriage would be
unnatural. I have not seen Mr. Thwaite."

"Then, my lord, you have not seen a most excellent man, who, next to
my mother, is my best friend."

"But he cannot be a gentleman."

"I do not know;--but I do know that I can be his wife. Is that all,
Lord Lovel?"

"Not quite all. I fear that this weary lawsuit will come back upon us
in some shape. I cannot say whether I have the power to stop it if I
would. I must in part be guided by others."

"I cannot do anything. If I could, I would not even ask for the money
for myself."

"No, Lady Anna. You and I cannot decide it. I must again see my
lawyer. I do not mean the attorney,--but