that he had a powerful friend at court, all through the
interview, in the young lady's own liking for him.

"This is all I can say at present, with the exception of one other thing
I heard, which I blush to mention. But your word is law, and you have
ordered me to have no concealments from you.

"Their talk turned once, dear madam, on yourself. I think I heard the
word 'creature' from Miss Milroy; and I am certain that Mr. Armadale,
while acknowledging that he had once admired you, added that
circumstances had since satisfied him of 'his folly.' I quote his own
expression; it made me quite tremble with indignation. If I may be
permitted to say so, the man who admires Miss Gwilt lives in Paradise.
Respect, if nothing else, ought to have closed Mr. Armadale's lips.
He is my employer, I know; but after his calling it an act of folly to
admire you (though I _am_ his deputy-steward), I utterly despise him.

"Trusting that I may have been so happy as to give you satisfaction
thus far, and earnestly desirous to deserve the honor of your continued
confidence in me, I remain, dear madam,

"Your grateful and devoted servant,

"FELIX BASHWOOD."

2. _From Mrs. Oldershaw to Miss Gwilt_.

"Diana Street, Monday, July 21st.

"MY DEAR LYDIA--I trouble you with a few lines. They are written under a
sense of the duty which I owe to myself, in our present position toward
each other.

"I am not at all satisfied with the tone of your last two letters; and I
am still less pleased at your leaving me this morning without any letter
at all--and this when we had arranged, in the doubtful state of our
prospects, that I was to hear from you every day. I can only interpret
your conduct in one way. I can only infer that matters at Thorpe
Ambrose, having been all mismanaged, are all going wrong.

"It is not my present object to reproach you, for why should I waste
time, language, and paper? I merely wish to recall to your memory
certain considerations which you appear to be disposed to overlook.
Shall I put them in the plainest English? Yes; for, with all my faults,
I am frankness personified.

"In the first place, then, I have an interest in your becoming Mrs.
Armadale of Thorpe Ambrose as well as you. Secondly, I have provided you
(to say nothing of good advice) with all the money needed to accomplish
our object. Thirdly, I hold your notes of hand, at short dates, for
every farthing so advanced. Fourthly and lastly, though I am indulgen