said, in a
shaking low voice.

Victor held her hand and felt a squeeze more nervous than affectionate.

'To consult with me,' she added. 'My maid will go at ten to bring Nesta;
Mr. Durance I can count on, to see her safe home. Ah!' she wailed.

Victor nodded, saying: 'I guess. And, my love, you will receive Mrs.
John Cormyn to-morrow morning. I can't endure gaps. Gaps in our circle
must never be. Do I guess?--I spoke to Colney about bringing her home.'

Nataly sighed: 'Ah! make what provision we will! Evil--Mr. Sowerby has
had a great deal to bear.'

'A worldling may think so.'

Her breast heaved, and the wave burst: but her restraining of tears
froze her speech.

'Victor! Our Nesta! Mr. Sowerby is unable to explain. And how the
Miss Duvidneys!... At that Brighton!'--The voice he heard was not his
darling's deep rich note, it had dropped to toneless hoarseness: 'She
has been permitted to make acquaintance--she has been seen riding
with--she has called upon--Oh! it is one of those abandoned women. In
her house! Our girl! Our Nesta! She was insulted by a man in the woman's
house. She is talked of over Brighton. The mother!--the daughter! And
grant me this--that never was girl more carefully... never till she was
taken from me. Oh! do not forget. You will defend me? You will say,
that her mother did with all her soul strive... It is not a rumour. Mr.
Sowerby has had it confirmed.' A sob caught her voice.

Victor's hands caressed to console: 'Dudley does not propose to...?'

'Nesta must promise... but how it happened? How! An acquaintance
with--contact with!--Oh! cruel!' Each time she ceased speaking, the
wrinkles of a shiver went over her, and the tone was of tears coming,
but she locked them in.

'An accident!' said Victor; 'some misunderstanding--there can't be
harm. Of course, she promises--hasn't to promise. How could a girl
distinguish! He does not cast blame on her?'

'Dear, if you would go down to Dartrey to-morrow. He knows:--it is over
the Clubs there; he will tell you, before a word to Nesta. Innocent,
yes! Mr. Sowerby has not to be assured of that. Ignorant of the
character of the dreadful woman? Ah, if I could ever in anything think
her ignorant! She frightens me. Mr. Sowerby is indulgent. He does
me justice. My duty to her--I must defend myself--has been my first
thought. I said in my prayers--she at least!... We have to see the more
than common reasons why she, of all girls, should--he did not h