ter had been
received from Mrs. Hittaway that morning,--the writing of which
must have seriously interfered with the tranquillity of her Sunday
afternoon. Lord Fawn did not make his appearance at Richmond on the
Saturday evening,--nor was he seen on the Sunday. That Sunday was,
we may presume, chiefly devoted to reflection. He certainly did not
call upon his future wife. His omission to do so no doubt increased
Lizzie's urgency in the matter of her visit to Richmond. Frank
Greystock had written to congratulate her. "Dear Frank," she had said
in reply, "a woman situated as I am has so many things to think of.
Lord Fawn's position will be of service to my child. Mind you come
and see me at Fawn Court. I count so much on your friendship and
assistance."

Of course she was expected at Richmond,--although throughout the
morning Lady Fawn had entertained almost a hope that she wouldn't
come. "He was only lukewarm in defending her," Mrs. Hittaway had said
in her letter, "and I still think that there may be an escape." Not
even a note had come from Lord Fawn himself,--nor from Lady Eustace.
Possibly something violent might have been done, and Lady Eustace
would not appear. But Lady Eustace did appear,--and, after a fashion,
was made welcome at Fawn Court.

The Fawn ladies were not good hypocrites. Lady Fawn had said almost
nothing to her daughters of her visit to Mount Street, but Augusta
had heard the discussion in Mrs. Hittaway's drawing-room as to the
character of the future bride. The coming visit had been spoken of
almost with awe, and there was a general conviction in the dovecote
that an evil thing had fallen upon them. Consequently, their
affection to the new-comer, though spoken in words, was not made
evident by signs and manners. Lizzie herself took care that the
position in which she was received should be sufficiently declared.
"It seems so odd that I am to come among you as a sister," she said.
The girls were forced to assent to the claim, but they assented
coldly. "He has told me to attach myself especially to you," she
whispered to Augusta. The unfortunate chosen one, who had but little
strength of her own, accepted the position, and then, as the only
means of escaping the embraces of her newly-found sister, pleaded the
violence of a headache. "My mother!" said Lizzie to Lady Fawn. "Yes,
my dear," said Lady Fawn. "One of the girls had perhaps better go up
and show you your room." "I am very much afraid about i