w her
opposition to the marriage. She was not going to be frightened by
Lizzie Eustace and Frank Greystock,--knowing as she did that they
were lovers, and very improper lovers, too. "Of course she stole them
herself," said Mrs. Hittaway; "and I don't doubt but she stole her
own money afterwards. There's nothing she wouldn't do. I'd sooner see
Frederic in his grave than married to such a woman as that. Men don't
know how sly women can be;--that's the truth. And Frederic has been
so spoilt among them down at Richmond, that he has no real judgment
left. I don't suppose he means to marry her."

"Upon my word I don't know," said Mr. Hittaway. Then Mrs. Hittaway
made up her mind that she would at once write a letter to Scotland.

There was an old lord about London in those days,--or, rather, one
who was an old Liberal but a young lord,--one Lord Mount Thistle,
who had sat in the Cabinet, and had lately been made a peer when
his place in the Cabinet was wanted. He was a pompous, would-be
important, silly old man, well acquainted with all the traditions of
his party, and perhaps, on that account, useful,--but a bore, and
very apt to meddle when he was not wanted. Lady Glencora, on the
day after her dinner-party, whispered into his ear that Lord Fawn
was getting himself into trouble, and that a few words of caution,
coming to him from one whom he respected so much as he did Lord Mount
Thistle, would be of service to him. Lord Mount Thistle had known
Lord Fawn's father, and declared himself at once to be quite entitled
to interfere. "He is really behaving badly to Lady Eustace," said
Lady Glencora, "and I don't think that he knows it." Lord Mount
Thistle, proud of a commission from the hands of Lady Glencora, went
almost at once to his old friend's son. He found him at the House
that night, and whispered his few words of caution in one of the
lobbies.

"I know you will excuse me, Fawn," Lord Mount Thistle said, "but
people seem to think that you are not behaving quite well to Lady
Eustace."

"What people?" demanded Lord Fawn.

"My dear fellow, that is a question that cannot be answered. You know
that I am the last man to interfere if I didn't think it my duty as a
friend. You were engaged to her?"--Lord Fawn only frowned. "If so,"
continued the late cabinet minister, "and if you have broken it off,
you ought to give your reasons. She has a right to demand as much as
that."

On the next morning, Friday, there came to him