ion, and even render
necessary, sooner or later, the course that had been taken. She agreed
to this, and even admitted, of her own accord, that both letters were
strictly in character with her uncle's peculiar disposition--but her
fears about Miss Halcombe, and her unaccountable dread of sleeping at
the Count's house in London, still remained unshaken in spite of every
consideration that I could urge. I thought it my duty to protest
against Lady Glyde's unfavourable opinion of his lordship, and I did
so, with becoming forbearance and respect.

"Your ladyship will pardon my freedom," I remarked, in conclusion, "but
it is said, 'by their fruits ye shall know them.' I am sure the Count's
constant kindness and constant attention, from the very beginning of
Miss Halcombe's illness, merit our best confidence and esteem. Even
his lordship's serious misunderstanding with Mr. Dawson was entirely
attributable to his anxiety on Miss Halcombe's account."

"What misunderstanding?" inquired her ladyship, with a look of sudden
interest.

I related the unhappy circumstances under which Mr. Dawson had
withdrawn his attendance--mentioning them all the more readily because
I disapproved of Sir Percival's continuing to conceal what had happened
(as he had done in my presence) from the knowledge of Lady Glyde.

Her ladyship started up, with every appearance of being additionally
agitated and alarmed by what I had told her.

"Worse! worse than I thought!" she said, walking about the room, in a
bewildered manner. "The Count knew Mr. Dawson would never consent to
Marian's taking a journey--he purposely insulted the doctor to get him
out of the house."

"Oh, my lady! my lady!" I remonstrated.

"Mrs. Michelson!" she went on vehemently, "no words that ever were
spoken will persuade me that my sister is in that man's power and in
that man's house with her own consent. My horror of him is such, that
nothing Sir Percival could say and no letters my uncle could write,
would induce me, if I had only my own feelings to consult, to eat,
drink, or sleep under his roof. But my misery of suspense about Marian
gives me the courage to follow her anywhere, to follow her even into
Count Fosco's house."

I thought it right, at this point, to mention that Miss Halcombe had
already gone on to Cumberland, according to Sir Percival's account of
the matter.

"I am afraid to believe it!" answered her ladyship. "I am afraid she
is still in that man'