ncora in her time had wished to marry a
man who had sought her for her money. Lady Chiltern in her time had
refused to be Lady Fawn. Madame Goesler in her time had declined
to marry an English peer. There was, therefore, something more of
interest in the conversation to each of them than was quite expressed
in the words spoken. "Is she to be at your party on Friday, Lady
Glencora?" asked Madame Goesler.

"She has said she would come,--and so has Lord Fawn; for that matter,
Lord Fawn dines with us. She'll find that out, and then she'll stay
away."

"Not she," said Lady Chiltern. "She'll come for the sake of the
bravado. She's not the woman to show the white feather."

"If he's ill-using her she's quite right," said Madame Goesler.

"And wear the very diamonds in dispute," said Lady Chiltern. It was
thus that the matter was discussed among ladies in the town.

"Is Fawn's marriage going on?" This question was asked of Mr. Legge
Wilson by Barrington Erle. Mr. Legge Wilson was the Secretary of
State for India, and Barrington Erle was in the Government.

"Upon my word I don't know," said Mr. Wilson. "The work goes on at
the office;--that's all I know about Fawn. He hasn't told me of his
marriage, and therefore I haven't spoken to him about it."

"He hasn't made it official?"

"The papers haven't come before me yet," said Mr. Wilson.

"When they do they'll be very awkward papers, as far as I hear," said
Barrington Erle. "There is no doubt they were engaged, and I believe
there is no doubt that he has declared off, and refused to give any
reason."

"I suppose the money is not all there," suggested Mr. Wilson.

"There's a queer story going about as to some diamonds. No one knows
whom they belong to, and they say that Fawn has accused her of
stealing them. He wants to get hold of them, and she won't give them
up. I believe the lawyers are to have a shy at it. I'm sorry for
Fawn. It'll do him a deal of mischief."

"You'll find he won't come out much amiss," said Mr. Legge Wilson.
"He's as cautious a man as there is in London. If there is anything
wrong--"

"There is a great deal wrong," said Barrington Erle.

"You'll find it will be on her side."

"And you'll find also that she'll contrive that all the blame shall
lie upon him. She's clever enough for anything! Who's to be the new
bishop?"

"I have not heard Gresham say as yet; Jones, I should think," said
Mr. Wilson.

"And who is Jones?"

"A clergyman, I