ince been guilty. In
regard to Lady Laura's fortune, Mr. Forster said that she could no
doubt apply for alimony, and that if the application were pressed at
law she would probably obtain it;--but he could not recommend such a
step at the present moment. As to the accusation which had been made
against her character, and which had become public through the malice
of the editor of _The People's Banner_, Mr. Forster thought that the
best refutation would be found in her return to England. At any rate
he would advise no further step at the present moment. Should any
further libel appear in the columns of the newspaper, then the
question might be again considered. Mr. Forster had already been in
Portman Square, and this had been the result of the conference.

"There is not much comfort in it all,--is there?" said Lady Laura.

"There is no comfort in anything," said the Earl.

When Phineas took his leave Lady Laura followed him out into the
hall, and they went together into the large, gloomy dining-room,
--gloomy and silent now, but which in former days he had known to be
brilliant with many lights, and cheerful with eager voices. "I must
have one word with you," she said, standing close to him against the
table, and putting her hand upon his arm. "Amidst all my sorrow, I
have been so thankful that he did not--kill you."

"I almost wish he had."

"Oh, Phineas!--how can you say words so wicked! Would you have had
him a murderer?"

"A madman is responsible for nothing."

"Where should I have been? What should I have done? But of course you
do not mean it. You have everything in life before you. Say some word
to me more comfortable than that. You cannot think how I have looked
forward to meeting you again. It has robbed the last month of half
its sadness." He put his arm round her waist and pressed her to his
side, but he said nothing. "It was so good of you to go to him as you
did. How was he looking?"

"Twenty years older than when you saw him last."

"But how in health?"

"He was thin and haggard."

"Was he pale?"

"No; flushed and red. He had not shaved himself for days; nor, as I
believe, had he been out of his room since he came up to London. I
fancy that he will not live long."

"Poor fellow;--unhappy man! I was very wrong to marry him, Phineas."

"I have never said so;--nor, indeed, thought so."

"But I have thought so; and I say it also,--to you. I owe him any
reparation that I can make him; but I co