an attack on the man she loved.
She had allowed herself to be carried into superlatives, and had
almost been uncourteous to Lord Fawn. "My dear," said Lady Fawn,
"we won't say anything more upon the subject." Lord Fawn took up a
book. Lady Fawn busied herself in her knitting. Lydia assumed a look
of unhappiness, as though something very sad had occurred. Augusta
addressed a question to her brother in a tone which plainly indicated
a feeling on her part that her brother had been ill-used and was
entitled to special consideration. Lucy sat silent and still, and
then left the room with a hurried step. Lydia at once rose to follow
her, but was stopped by her mother. "You had better leave her alone
just at present, my dear," said Lady Fawn.

"I did not know that Miss Morris was so particularly interested in
Mr. Greystock," said Lord Fawn.

"She has known him since she was a child," said his mother.

About an hour afterwards Lady Fawn went up-stairs and found Lucy
sitting all alone in the still so-called school-room. She had no
candle, and had made no pretence to do anything since she had left
the room down-stairs. In the interval family prayers had been read,
and Lucy's absence was unusual and contrary to rule. "Lucy, my dear,
why are you sitting here?" said Lady Fawn.

"Because I am unhappy."

"What makes you unhappy, Lucy?"

"I don't know. I would rather you didn't ask me. I suppose I behaved
badly down-stairs."

"My son would forgive you in a moment if you asked him."

"No;--certainly not. I can beg your pardon, Lady Fawn, but not his.
Of course I had no right to talk about speeches, and politics, and
this prince in your drawing-room."

"Lucy, you astonish me."

"But it is so. Dear Lady Fawn, don't look like that. I know how good
you are to me. I know you let me do things which other governesses
mayn't do;--and say things; but still I am a governess, and I know I
misbehaved--to you." Then Lucy burst into tears.

Lady Fawn, in whose bosom there was no stony corner or morsel of hard
iron, was softened at once. "My dear, you are more like another
daughter to me than anything else."

"Dear Lady Fawn!"

"But it makes me unhappy when I see your mind engaged about Mr.
Greystock. There is the truth, Lucy. You should not think of Mr.
Greystock. Mr. Greystock is a man who has his way to make in the
world, and could not marry you, even if, under other circumstances,
he would wish to do so. You know how frank I am w