Frank, I think, at this time was in a
fair way of arriving pretty rapidly at the customary catastrophe. He
had gone through the whole educational process I have described above,
had been regularly and systematically "spoilt," was a habitual
gambler, and a confirmed "dandy." The ladies all liked him much, and I
confess I don't wonder at it. Always good-humoured, never sentimental
(I hate a sentimental man), invariably well dressed, with a very good
opinion of his own attractions, Frank could make himself agreeable in
all societies. He had never been troubled with shyness as a boy, and
in his manhood was as "cool a hand" as one would meet with often, even
in London. Then he had plenty of courage, which made the men respect
him; and, above all, was very good-looking--an advantage which,
doubtless, has a certain weight even with _our_ far-sighted and
reflective sex.

I never quite made out the rights of his _liaison_, or whatever people
call it, with Lady Scapegrace; nor do I think his own account entirely
satisfactory. He assured me that he met her first of all at a masked
ball in Paris, that she mistook him for some one else, and confided a
great deal to his ears which she would not have entrusted to any one
save the individual she supposed him to be; that when she discovered
her mistake she was in despair, and that his discretion and respect
for her feelings had made her his fast friend for life. I cannot tell
how this may be, but that they were great friends I have had reason to
know too well. He declared, however, that he looked upon her "quite as
a sister." I do not think, though she is always very kind to me, that
I should exactly like her for a _sister-in-law_. I certainly have
known Lady Scapegrace do most extraordinary things--such things as no
other woman would be permitted to do without drawing down the abuse of
the world. If she had been fair, and rosy, and pleasing, people would
have scouted her; but she was dark, and stern, and commanding. The
world was afraid of her, and it is very true that "in the world one
had better be feared than loved." Scandal did not _dare_ say all it
thought of Lady Scapegrace; and if she brought Frank Lovell home in
her carriage, or went to the opera alone with Count Coquin, or was
seen, day after day, perambulating Kensington Gardens arm in arm with
young Greenfinch of the Life Guards, instead of shouting and hissing,
and, so to speak, _pelting_ her off the stage, the world lifted