tness, by no perishable mixture of white and red;
it was not born of a sparkling eye, and a ripe lip, and a cherry
cheek. To her face belonged lines of contour, severe, lovely, and of
ineradicable grace. It was not when she smiled and laughed that she
most pleased. She did not charm only when she spoke; though, indeed,
the expression of her speaking face was perfect. But she had the
beauty of a marble bust. It would not be easy even for Sir Henry
Harcourt, even for a young solicitor-general, to find a face more
beautiful with which to adorn his drawing-room.

And then she had that air of fashion, that look of being able to look
down the unfashionable, which was so much in the eyes of Sir Henry;
though in those of George Bertram it had been almost a demerit. With
Caroline, as with many women, this was an appearance rather than a
reality. She had not moved much among high people; she had not taught
herself to despise those of her own class, the women of Littlebath,
the Todds and the Adela Gauntlets; but she looked as though she would
be able to do so. And it was fitting she should have such a look if
ever she were to be the wife of a solicitor-general.

And then Sir Henry thought of Mr. Bertram's coffers. Ah! if he could
only be let into that secret, it might be easy to come to a decision.
That the old man had quarrelled with his nephew, he was well aware.
That George, in his pig-headed folly, would make no overtures towards
a reconciliation; of that also he was sure. Was it not probable that
at any rate a great portion of that almost fabulous wealth would go
to the man's granddaughter? There was doubtless risk; but then one
must run some risk in everything, It might be, if he could play his
cards wisely, that he would get it all--that he would be placed in a
position to make even the solicitor-generalship beneath his notice.

And so, in spite of Caroline's coldness, he resolved to persevere.

Having thus made up him mind, he turned the conversation to another
subject.

"You liked the house on the whole; did you?" Caroline during the past
week had been up to see the new house in Eaton Square.

"Oh, yes; very much. Nothing could be nicer. Only I am afraid it's
expensive." This was a subject on which Caroline could talk to him.

"Not particularly," said Sir Henry. "Of course one can't get a house
in London for nothing. I shall have rather a bargain of that if I can
pay the money down. The great thing is whether you l