as the wife of a 'diplomatist.'"

Cashel gave his arm to Lady Kilgoff, without speaking, and sis Lordship
followed them slowly towards the dining-room. Linton stood at the door
as they entered, and his wan features grew flushed as the haughty beauty
moved past him with the very coldest of recognitions.

"What an admirable taste is your Lordship's!" said he to the old peer;
"Lady Kilgoff's diamonds are disposed with an elegance that bespeaks the
guiding skill of a consummate artist."

"Ha! you perceive it, then!" said he, smiling. "I own to you, the
festooning the robe with bouquets of brilliants was a fancy of mine, and
has, I think, a very pretty effect."

"Storr told me that he had not one person in his employment could equal
your Lordship in the harmonious arrangement of gems. He mentioned a
bracelet, if I remember aright, made from your own designs, as the most
beautifully chaste ornament he had ever seen."

"You must pronounce for yourself, sir," said the old lord, with a smile
of elated vanity; and so, taking Linton's arm, he approached where Lady
Kilgoff was seated in a group of ladies.

"Will you oblige me, madam," said he, with a courteous bow, "by showing
Mr. Linton your ruby and opal bracelet, which I had the poor merit of
designing?"

"I am unfortunate enough not to have it here," replied she, with a
confusion which made the blood mount to her temples.

"I am grieved, madam, it should not enjoy the honor of your preference,"
said Lord Kilgoff, with an air of pique. "Will you order your maid to
fetch it?"

"I 've not got it, my Lord," said she, coloring still deeper.

"Not got it, madam! You do not mean to imply--"

"Only that it is slightly broken,--a few stones have fallen out, and I
have sent it to be repaired."

"To be repaired, madam; and without my knowledge I To whom, pray?"

"That man in Dublin; I forget his name."

"Your Ladyship means Leonard, I presume," interposed Linton, with an air
of courtesy, while, plainer than any words, his glance said, "My revenge
is coming!"

"Leonard!" exclaimed Lord Kilgoff, with a look of horror. "Give
Leonard that bracelet! the mould of which I refused to the Princess of
Hohenhoffingen, and which I made Storr destroy in my own presence!"

"You perceive, my Lord," cried Lady Janet, "her Ladyship is less
exclusive than you are."

"And generous enough to admire what may belong to another," added
Linton, but in a tone only audible by Lady Kilgoff.