self as being at this moment engaged
to marry Lady Eustace, was a matter to him of much doubt;--but of
this he was sure, that if she were engaged to him as his wife, she
ought not to be entertaining her cousin Frank Greystock down at
Portray Castle, unless she had some old lady, not only respectable in
life, but high in rank also, to see that everything was right. It was
almost an insult to him that such a visit should have been arranged
without his sanction or cognizance. Of course, if he were bound by no
engagement,--and he had been persuaded by his mother and sister to
wish that he were not bound,--then the matter would be no affair of
his. If, however, the diamonds were abandoned, then the engagement
was to be continued;--and in that case it was out of the question
that his elected bride should entertain another young man,--even
though she was a widow and the young man was her cousin. Of course,
he should have spoken of the diamonds first; but the other matter had
obtruded itself upon him, and he was puzzled. "Is Mr. Greystock to
accompany you into Scotland?" he asked.

"Oh dear no. I go on the thirtieth of this month. I hardly know when
he means to be there."

"He follows you to Portray?

"Yes;--he follows me, of course. 'The king himself has followed her,
When she has gone before.'" Lord Fawn did not remember the quotation,
and was more puzzled than ever. "Frank will follow me, just as the
other shooting men will follow me."

"He goes direct to Portray Castle?"

"Neither directly nor indirectly. Just at present, Lord Fawn, I am in
no mood to entertain guests,--not even one that I love so well as my
cousin Frank. The Portray mountains are somewhat extensive, and at
the back of them there is a little shooting-lodge."

"Oh, indeed," said Lord Fawn, feeling that he had better dash at once
at the diamonds.

"If you, my lord, could manage to join us for a day, my cousin and
his friend would, I am sure, come over to the castle, so that you
should not suffer from being left alone with me and Miss Macnulty."

"At present it is impossible," said Lord Fawn;--and then he paused.
"Lady Eustace, the position in which you and I stand to each other is
one not altogether free from trouble."

"You cannot say that it is of my making," she said, with a smile.
"You once asked--what men think a favour from me; and I granted
it,--perhaps too easily."

"I know how greatly I am indebted to your goodness, Lady Eustace--"
And