changed her faith as to the murderer; but at last she found
herself bound to believe as the world believed; and then she hinted
to the wife of Mr. Emilius that she had better find another home.

"I don't believe it a bit," said Lizzie.

"It is not a subject I can discuss," said the widow.

"And I don't see that it makes any difference. He isn't my husband.
You have said that yourself very often, Mrs. Bonteen."

"It is better that we shouldn't be together, Lady Eustace."

"Oh, I can go, of course, Mrs. Bonteen. There needn't be the
slightest trouble about that. I had thought perhaps it might be
convenient; but of course you know best."

She went forth into lodgings in Half Moon Street, close to the scene
of the murder, and was once more alone in the world. She had a child
indeed, the son of her first husband, as to whom it behoved many to
be anxious, who stood high in rank and high in repute; but such had
been Lizzie's manner of life that neither her own relations nor those
of her husband could put up with her, or endure her contact. And yet
she was conscious of no special sins, and regarded herself as one who
with a tender heart of her own, and a too-confiding spirit, had been
much injured by the cruelty of those with whom she had been thrown.
Now she was alone, weeping in solitude, pitying herself with deepest
compassion; but it never occurred to her that there was anything in
her conduct that she need alter. She would still continue to play her
game as before, would still scheme, would still lie; and might still,
at last, land herself in that Elysium of life of which she had been
always dreaming. Poor Lizzie Eustace! Was it nature or education
which had made it impossible to her to tell the truth, when a lie
came to her hand? Lizzie, the liar! Poor Lizzie!

CHAPTER LXXIII

Phineas Finn Returns to His Duties

The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July;
and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th
of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and
take the oaths before the Session was finished. He had calculated
that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was
first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be
deferred till the following year. But there he was, once more member
for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be
done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those who