not thought how impossible it was that they should
do so, as of course I might die before I had sung a single
note. I never dreamed of coming to you, whose lordship's
name I had not even heard in my ignorance. Then M. Le Gros
spoke to you, and you came and made your proposition in
the most good-natured way in the world. I was such a fool
as not to see that the money must of course come from
yourself.

Mr. Moss has enlightened me, and has made me understand
that no respectable young woman would accept a loan of
money from you without blemish to her character. Mr. Moss,
whom I do not in the least like, has been right in this. I
should be very sorry if you should be taught to think evil
of me before I go to your theatre; or indeed, if I do not
go at all. I am not up to all these things, and I suppose
I ought to have consulted my father the moment I got your
little note. Pray do not take any further notice of it.

I am, very faithfully,
Your lordship's humble servant,

RACHEL O'MAHONY.

Then there was added a postscript: "Your note has just come and I
return the cheque." As chance would have it the cheque had come just
as Rachel had finished her letter, and with the cheque there had been
a short scrawl as follows: "I send the money as settled, and will
call to-morrow."

Whatever may have been Lord Castlewell's general sins among actresses
and actors, his feelings hitherto in regard to Miss O'Mahony had not
done him discredit. He had already heard her name frequently when he
had seen her in her little carriage before the steps of Covent Garden
Theatre, and had heard her sing at "The Embankment." Her voice and
tone and feeling had enchanted him as he had wont to be enchanted by
new singers of high quality, and he had been greatly struck by the
brightness of her beauty. When M. Le Gros had told him of her little
wants, he had perceived at once her innocence, and had determined to
relieve her wants. Then, when she had told him of her father, and
had explained to him the kind of terms on which they lived together,
he was sure that she was pure as snow. But she was very lovely, and
he could not undertake to answer for what feelings might spring up
in her bosom. Now he had received this letter, and every word of it
spoke to him in her favour. He took, therefore, a little trouble, and
calling upon her the next morning at her lodgings, found her seated
with Mr. O'M