.

"Perhaps it is better for you both that he should not. But I will not
ask any more," said Lettice. "I can understand that it must be very
painful, either to tell me your story or to conceal it."

"I hate to conceal it from you!" Milly said passionately. "Oh, I wish I
had never seen him, and never listened to him! Yet it was my fault--I
have nobody to blame but myself. I have never forgiven myself for
deceiving you so!"

"Ah, if that were the worst, there would not be much to grieve about!"

"I almost think it is the worst. Miss Lettice, may I really tell you my
story--all, at least, that it would be right for you to hear?"

"If you would like to tell me, do! Perhaps I can help you in some way
when I know more."

"There are some things I should like you to understand," said Milly,
hesitatingly, "though not because it will take away the blame from
me--nothing can do that. When I first knew Mr. Beadon (I'll call him
so, please), I was very giddy and foolish. I longed to see the world,
and thought that all would go well with me then. I don't know where I
picked up the idea, but I had read stories about beautiful women who had
had wonderful good fortune, through nothing at all but their looks--and
people had told me I was beautiful--and I was silly enough to think that
I could do great things, as well as those I had read about. I suppose
they must have been very clever and witty--or, perhaps, they had more
luck. I wanted to be free and independent; and I am afraid I was ready
to listen to any one who would flatter my vanity, as--as Mr. Beadon
did."

"When did he first begin to say these things to you? Was it after you
came to London?"

"Yes--not long after. He was above me in station, and very handsome, and
proud; and when he began to speak to me, though I was all the time
afraid of him, and uneasy when I spoke to him, my head was fairly
turned. It shows I was not meant to shine in the world, or I should not
have been so uneasy when I spoke to him. For some time he said nothing
out of the way--only kind words and flattery; but when he found what I
had set my heart on, he was always telling me that I was fit to be a
great lady, and to make a noise in the world. That set me all on-fire,
and I could not rest for thinking of what I might do if I could only
find my way into society. It makes me mad to remember what a fool I was!

"But I was not quite bad, Miss Lettice. When he said that he would give
me what I wante