have rushed out of
the house when she said that. Then I had to be changed. I don't know
whether they could forgive me, but I could not forgive her."

"And how is it now?"

"It is different now," said Ayala, softly. "Only that it can't make
any real difference."

"How different?"

"They'd let me come if I would, I suppose; but I shall never, never
go to them any more."

"I suppose you won't tell me everything?" said Nina, after a pause.

"What everything?"

"You won't be angry if I ask?"

"No, I will not be angry."

"I suppose there is someone else you really care for?"

"There is no one," said Ayala, escaping a little from her friend's
embrace.

"Then why should you be so determined against that poor young man?"

"Because he is a lout and a beast," said Ayala, jumping up. "I wonder
you should ask me;--as if that had anything to do with it. Would you
fall in love with a lout because you had no one else? I would rather
live for ever all alone, even in Kingsbury Crescent, than have to
think of becoming the wife of my cousin Tom." At this Nina shrugged
her shoulders, showing that her education in Italy had been less
romantic than that accorded to Ayala in London.

CHAPTER XVI.

JONATHAN STUBBS.

But, though Nina differed somewhat from Ayala as to their ideas as
to life in general, they were close friends, and everything was done
both by the Marchesa and by her daughter to make Ayala happy. There
was not very much of going into grand society, and that difficulty
about the dresses solved itself, as do other difficulties. There came
a few presents, with entreaties from Ayala that presents of that
kind might not be made. But the presents were, of course, accepted,
and our girl was as prettily arrayed, if not as richly, as the best
around her. At first there was an evening at the opera, and then a
theatre,--diversions which are easy. Ayala, after her six dull months
in Kingsbury Crescent, found herself well pleased to be taken to
easy amusements. The carriage in the park was delightful to her, and
delightful a visit which was made to her by Lucy. For the Tringle
carriage could be spared for a visit in Brook Street, even though
there was still a remembrance in the bosom of Aunt Emmeline of the
evil things which had been done by the Marchesa in Rome. Then there
came a dance,--which was not so easy. The Marchesa and Nina were
going to a dance at Lady Putney's, and arrangements were made
that Ayala shou