ng down to dinner as though in disgrace, and not being spoken to
by any one, would, in truth, have had rather a soothing effect upon
Lord Fawn, who would have felt that the general silence and dulness
had been produced as a sacrifice in his honour. "I can, of course,
insist that she should apologise; but if she refuses, what shall I do
then?"

"Let there be no more apologies, if you please, mother."

"What shall I do then, Frederic?"

"Miss Morris's idea of an apology is a repetition of her offence with
increased rudeness. It is not for me to say what you should do. If it
be true that she is engaged to that man--"

"It is true, certainly."

"No doubt that will make her quite independent of you, and I can
understand that her presence here in such circumstances must be very
uncomfortable to you all. No doubt she feels her power."

"Indeed, Frederic, you do not know her."

"I can hardly say that I desire to know her better. You cannot
suppose that I can be anxious for further intimacy with a young lady
who has twice given me the lie in your house. Such conduct is, at
least, very unusual; and as no absolute punishment can be inflicted,
the offender can only be avoided. It is thus, and thus only, that
such offences can be punished. I shall be satisfied if you will give
her to understand that I should prefer that she should not address me
again."

Poor Lady Fawn was beginning to think that Lucy was right in saying
that there was no remedy for all these evils but that she should go
away. But whither was she to go? She had no home but such home as she
could earn for herself by her services as a governess, and in her
present position it was almost out of the question that she should
seek another place. Lady Fawn, too, felt that she had pledged herself
to Mr. Greystock that till next year Lucy should have a home at Fawn
Court. Mr. Greystock, indeed, was now an enemy to the family; but
Lucy was not an enemy, and it was out of the question that she should
be treated with real enmity. She might be scolded, and scowled at,
and put into a kind of drawing-room Coventry for a time,--so that all
kindly intercourse with her should be confined to school-room work
and bed-room conferences. She could be generally "sat upon," as Nina
would call it. But as for quarrelling with her,--making a real enemy
of one whom they all loved, one whom Lady Fawn knew to be "as good
as gold," one who had become so dear to the old lady that actual