and I will secure all that you
want."

"It shall be done," said Rigby, "it must be done."

Lady Monmouth bade Mr. Rigby hasten at once to the marquess and bring
her news of the interview. She awaited with some excitement his return.
Her original prejudice against Coningsby and jealousy of his influence
had been aggravated by the knowledge that, although after her marriage
Lord Monmouth had made a will which secured to her a very large portion
of his great wealth, the energies and resources of the marquess had of
late been directed to establish Coningsby in a barony.

Two hours elapsed before Mr. Rigby returned. There was a churlish and
unusual look about him.

"Lord Monmouth suggests that, as you were tired of Paris, your ladyship
might find the German baths at Kissingen agreeable. A paragraph in the
'Morning Post' would announce that his lordship was about to join you;
and even if his lordship did not ultimately reach you, an amicable
separation would be effected."

In vain Lucretia stormed. Mr. Rigby mentioned that Lord Monmouth had
already left the house and would not return, and finally announced that
Lucretia's letters to a certain Prince Trautsmandorff were in his
lordship's possession.

A few days later, and Coningsby read in the papers of Lady Monmouth's
departure to Kissingen. He called at Monmouth House, to find the place
empty, and to learn from the porter that Lord Monmouth was about to
occupy a villa at Richmond.

Coningsby entertained for his grandfather a sincere affection. With the
exception of their last unfortunate interview, he had experienced
nothing but kindness from Lord Monmouth. He determined to pay him a
visit at Richmond.

Lord Monmouth, who was entertaining two French ladies at his villa,
recoiled from grandsons and relations and ties of all kinds; but
Coningsby so pleasantly impressed his fair visitors that Lord Monmouth
decided to ask him to dinner. Thus, in spite of the combinations of
Lucretia and Mr. Rigby, and his grandfather's resentment, within a month
of the memorable interview at Monmouth House, Coningsby found himself
once more a welcome guest at Lord Monmouth's table.

In that same month other important circumstances also occurred.

At a fete in some beautiful gardens on the banks of the Thames,
Coningsby and Edith Millbank were both present. The announcement was
made of the forthcoming marriage of Lady Theresa Sydney to Mr. Eustace
Lyle, a friend of Mr. Coningsby; an