d later, from the lips of Lady
Wallinger herself, Miss Millbank's aunt, Coningsby learnt how really
groundless was the report of Lord Beaumanoir's engagement.

"Lord Beaumanoir admires her--has always admired her," Lady Wallinger
explained to Coningsby; "but Edith has given him no encouragement
whatever."

At the end of the terrace Edith and Coningsby met. He seized the
occasion to walk some distance by her side.

"How could you ever doubt me?" said Coningsby, after some time.

"I was unhappy."

"And now we are to each other as before."

"And will be, come what may," said Edith.

_VI.--Lord Monmouth's Money_

In the midst of Christmas-revels at the country house of Mr. Eustace
Lyle, surrounded by the duke and duchess and their children--the
Sydneys--Coningsby was called away by a messenger, who brought news of
the sudden death of Lord Monmouth. The marquess had died at supper at
his Richmond villa, with no persons near him but those who were very
amusing.

The body had been removed to Monmouth House; and after the funeral, in
the principal saloon of Monmouth House, the will was eventually read.

The date of the will was 1829; and by this document the sum of L10,000
was left to Coningsby, who at that time was unknown to his grandfather.

But there were many codicils. In 1832, the L10,000 was increased to
L50,000. In 1836, after Coningsby's visit to the castle, L50,000 was
left to the Princess Lucretia, and Coningsby was left sole residuary
legatee.

After the marriage, an estate of L9,000 a year was left to Coningsby,
L20,000 to Mr. Rigby, and the whole of the residue went to issue by Lady
Monmouth.

In the event of there being no issue, the whole of the estate was to be
divided equally between Lady Monmouth and Coningsby. In 1839, Mr. Rigby
was reduced to L10,000, Lady Monmouth was to receive L3,000 per annum,
and the rest, without reserve, went absolutely to Coningsby.

The last codicil was dated immediately after the separation with Lady
Monmouth.

All dispositions in favour of Coningsby were revoked, and he was left
with the interest of the original L10,000, the executors to invest the
money as they thought best for his advancement, provided it were not
placed in any manufactory.

Mr. Rigby received L5,000, M. Villebecque L30,000, and all the rest,
residue and remainder, to Flora, commonly called Flora Villebecque,
step-child of Armand Villebecque, "but who is my natural daughter by an
actre