had
inherited from her father something of the cataract's force which won
its way by catching or by mastering, uprooting, ruining!

In the morning she was heavily asleep. Victor left word with Nesta,
that the dear mother was not to be disturbed. Consequently, when Dudley
called to see Mrs. Victor Radnor, he was informed that Miss Radnor would
receive him.

Their interview lasted an hour.

Dudley came to Victor in the City about luncheon time.

His perplexity of countenance was eloquent. He had, before seeing the
young lady, digested an immense deal more, as it seemed to him, than any
English gentleman should be asked to consume. She now referred him
to her father, who had spent a day in Brighton, and would, she said,
explain whatever there was to be explained. But she added, that if she
was expected to abandon a friend, she could not. Dudley had argued with
her upon the nature of friendship, the measurement of its various dues;
he had lectured on the choice of friends, the impossibility for young
ladies, necessarily inexperienced, to distinguish the right class of
friends, the dangers they ran in selecting friends unwarranted by the
stamp of honourable families.

'And what did Fredi say to that?' Victor inquired.

'Miss Radnor said--I may be dense, I cannot comprehend--that the
precepts were suitable for seminaries of Pharisees. When it is a
question of a young lady associating with a notorious woman!'

'Not notorious. You spoil your case if you "speak extremely," as a
friend says. I saw her yesterday. She worships "Miss Radnor."'

Nesta will know when she is older; she will thank me,' said Dudley
hurriedly. 'As it is at present, I may reckon, I hope, that the
association ceases. Her name: I have to consider my family.'

'Good anchorage! You must fight it out with the girl. And depend
upon this--you're not the poorer for being the husband of a girl of
character; unless you try to bridle her. She belongs to her time. I
don't mind owning to you, she has given me a lead.--Fredi 'll be merry
to-night. Here's a letter I have from the Sanfredini, dated Milan, fresh
this morning; invitation to bring the god-child to her villa on Como in
May; desirous to embrace her. She wrote to the office. Not a word of her
duque. She has pitched him to the winds. You may like to carry it off to
Fredi and please her.'

'I have business,' Dudley replied.

'Away to it, then!' said Victor. 'You stand by me?--we expect our South
Lo