ress which, about a month back, she had refused to give him.
Of course he went to the Countess,--fully believing that Lady Anna
would also be at the house, though believing also that he would not
be allowed to see her. But at this time Lady Anna was still staying
with Mrs. Bluestone in Bedford Square.

It was no doubt natural that every advantage should be taken of
the strong position which Lord Lovel held. When he had extracted a
promise from Lady Anna that she would write to him at the end of a
week, he told Sir William, Sir William told his wife, Lady Patterson
told Mrs. Bluestone, and Mrs. Bluestone told the Countess. They
were all now in league against the tailor. If they could only get a
promise from the girl before the cause came on,--anything that they
could even call a promise,--then the thing might be easy. United
together they would not be afraid of what the Italian woman might do.
And this undertaking to write to Lord Lovel was almost as good as a
promise. When a girl once hesitates with a lover, she has as good
as surrendered. To say even that she will think of it, is to accept
the man. Then Mrs. Bluestone and the Countess, putting their heads
together, determined that an appeal should be made to the tailor. Had
Sir William or the Serjeant been consulted, either would have been
probably strong against the measure. But the ladies acted on their
own judgment, and Daniel Thwaite presented himself in Keppel Street.
"It is very kind of you to come," said the Countess.

"There is no great kindness in that," said Daniel, thinking perhaps
of those twenty years of service which had been given by him and by
his father.

"I know you think that I have been ungrateful for all that you have
done for me." He did think so, and was silent. "But you would hardly
wish me to repay you for helping me in my struggle by giving up all
for which I have struggled."

"I have asked for nothing, Lady Lovel."

"Have you not?"

"I have asked you for nothing."

"But my daughter is all that I have in the world. Have you asked
nothing of her?"

"Yes, Lady Lovel. I have asked much from her, and she has given
me all that I have asked. But I have asked nothing, and now claim
nothing, as payment for service done. If Lady Anna thinks she is in
my debt after such fashion as that, I will soon make her free."

"She does think so, Mr. Thwaite."

"Let her tell me so with her own lips."

"You will not think that I am lying to you."

"