ugh her looks spoke thus,
no word of complaint fell from her lips--and no word of confidence.

We have said that Sir Henry seemed to encourage these visits which
Bertram made to Eaton Square; and for a time he did so--up to the
time of that large evening-party which was given just before Adela's
return to Littlebath. But on that evening, Adela thought she saw a
deeper frown than usual on the brows of the solicitor-general, as he
turned his eyes to a couch on which his lovely wife was sitting, and
behind which George Bertram was standing, but so standing that he
could speak and she could hear.

And then Adela bethought herself, that though she could say nothing
to Caroline, it might not be equally impossible to say something to
Bertram. There had been between them a sort of confidence, and if
there was any one to whom Adela could now speak freely, it was to
him. They each knew something of each other's secrets, and each of
them, at least, trusted the other.

But this, if it be done at all, must be done on that evening. There
was no probability that they would meet again before her departure.
This was the only house in which they did meet, and here Adela had no
wish to see him more.

"I am come to say good-bye to you," she said, the first moment she
was able to speak to him alone.

"To say good-bye! Is your visit over so soon?"

"I go on Thursday."

"Well, I shall see you again, for I shall come on purpose to make my
adieux."

"No, Mr. Bertram; do not do that."

"But I certainly shall."

"No;" and she put out her little hand, and gently--oh! so
gently--touched his arm.

"And why not? Why should I not come to see you? I have not so many
friends that I can afford to lose you."

"You shall not lose me, nor would I willingly lose you. But, Mr.
Bertram--"

"Well, Miss Gauntlet?"

"Are you right to be here at all?"

The whole tone, and temper, and character of his face altered as he
answered her quickly and sharply--"If not, the fault lies with Sir
Henry Harcourt, who, with some pertinacity, induced me to come here.
But why is it wrong that I should be here?--foolish it may be."

"That is what I mean. I did not say wrong; did I? Do not think that I
imagine evil."

"It may be foolish," continued Bertram, as though he had not heard
her last words. "But if so, the folly has been his."

"If he is foolish, is that reason why you should not be wise?"

"And what is it you fear, Adela? What is the injury that