the best,--as is natural."

"Then in God's name let her say so, and put an end to all this
trouble."

"You see, my dear, it isn't always easy to understand a girl's mind
in such matters. I haven't a doubt which she likes best. She is not
at all the girl to have a vitiated taste about young men. But you see
this other man came first, and had the advantage of being her only
friend at the time. She has felt very grateful to him, and as yet she
is only beginning to learn the difference between gratitude and love.
I don't at all agree with her mother as to being severe with her.
I can't bear severity to young people, who ought to be made happy.
But I am quite sure that this tailor should be kept away from her
altogether. She must not see him or his handwriting. What would she
say to herself if she got that letter? 'If he is generous, I can be
generous too;' and if she ever wrote him a letter, pledging herself
to him, all would be over. As it is, she has promised to write to
Lord Lovel. We will hold her to that; and then, when she has given
a sort of a promise to the Earl, we will take care that the tailor
shall know it. It will be best for all parties. What we have got to
do is to save her from this man, who has been both her best friend
and her worst enemy." Mrs. Bluestone was an excellent woman, and
in this emergency was endeavouring to do her duty at considerable
trouble to herself and with no hope of any reward. The future
Countess when she should become a Countess would be nothing to her.
She was a good woman;--but she did not care what evil she inflicted
on the tailor, in her endeavours to befriend the daughter of the
Countess.

The tailor's letter, unseen and undreamt of by Lady Anna, was sent
back through the Serjeant and Mr. Goffe to Lady Lovel, with strong
advice from Mr. Goffe that Lady Anna should not be allowed to see
it. "I don't hesitate to tell you, Lady Lovel, that I have consulted
the Serjeant, and that we are both of opinion that no intercourse
whatever should be permitted between Lady Anna Lovel and Mr. Daniel
Thwaite." The unfortunate letter was therefore sent back to the
writer with the following note;--"The Countess Lovel presents her
compliments to Mr. Daniel Thwaite, and thinks it best to return the
enclosed. The Countess is of opinion that no intercourse whatever
should take place between her daughter and Mr. Daniel Thwaite."

Then Daniel swore an oath to himself that the intercourse between