--Just
possible--that, by connecting your personal interest with duties, you
might be reclaimed from a life of frivolity and idleness to an existence
of active and happy utility, and this without any flattering estimate of
your qualities, madam."

"Oh, sir, this is a very needless protest," said she, bowing and
smiling.

"I repeat, madam, that, without any flattering estimate of your
qualities, I saw quite enough to convince me that kindness and
benevolence were just as easy to you as their opposites."

"Why, you have become a courtier, sir," said she, with a smile of sly
malice.

"I 'm sorry for it, madam; I 'd as soon be mistaken for a hairdresser
or a dancing-master. But to return. Whether I was correct or not in my
theory would appear to be of little moment; another, and more pressing
view of the case, usurping all our interests, which is no less, madam,
than your actual right and title to this estate at all."

Lady Hester leaned forward in her chair as he said this, and in a low
but unshaken voice replied, "Do I understand you aright, sir, that the
title to this property is contested?"

"Not yet, madam; there is no claim set up as yet; but there is every
likelihood that there will be such. Rumors have gradually grown into
open discussions; threatening notices have been sent to me by post, and
stories which at first I had deemed vague and valueless have assumed a
degree of importance from the details by which they were accompanied. In
fact, madam, without any clew to the nature or direct drift of the plot,
I can yet see that a formidable scheme is being contrived, the great
agent of which is to be menace."

"Oh dear, what a relief it would be to me were I quite certain of all
this!" exclaimed Lady Hester, with a deep sigh.

"What a relief? Did you say what a relief, madam?" cried Grounsell, in
amazement.

"Yes, sir, that was precisely the word I used."

"Then I must have blundered most confoundedly, madam, in my effort to
explain myself. I was endeavoring to show you that your claim to the
estate might be disputed!"

"Very well, sir, I perfectly understood you."

"You did, eh? you perceive that you might possibly lose the property,
and you acquiesce calmly--"

"Nay, more, sir; I rejoice sincerely at the very thought of it."

"Well, then, upon my----eh? May the devil--I beg pardon, madam, but
this is really such a riddle to me that I must confess my inability to
unravel it."

"Shall I aid you, si