r I would not care,' said Lesbia, drawing nearer to
him.

They had both risen at Lady Kirkbank's approach, and were standing side
by side, confronting her. Lesbia had shrunk from the idea of poverty
with John Hammond; yet, for this man's sake, she was ready to face
penury, ruin, disgrace, anything.

'Do you mean to tell me that Lord Maulevrier's sister, a young lady
under my charge, answerable to me for her conduct, is capable of jilting
the man to whom she has solemnly bound herself, in order to marry you?'
demanded Lady Kirkbank, turning to Montesma.

'Yes; that is what I am going to do,' answered Lesbia, boldly. 'It would
be a greater sin to keep my promise than to break it. I never liked that
man, and you know it. You badgered me into accepting him, against my own
better judgment. You drifted me so deeply into debt that I was willing
to marry a man I loathed in order to get my debts paid. _This_ is what
you did for the girl placed under your charge. But, thank God, I have
released myself from your clutches. I am going far away to a new world,
where the memory of my old life cannot follow me. People may be angry or
pleased! I do not care. I shall be the wife of the man I have chosen out
of all the world for my husband--the man God made to be my master.'

'You are----' gasped Lady Kirkbank. 'I can't say what you are. I never
in my life felt so tempted to use improper language.'

'Dear Lady Kirkbank, be reasonable,' pleaded Montesma; 'you can have no
interest in seeing Lesbia married to a man she dislikes.'

Georgia reddened a little, remembering that she was interested to the
amount of some thousands in the Smithson and Haselden alliance; but she
took a higher ground than mercenary considerations.

'I am interested in doing the very best for a young lady who has been
entrusted to my care, the granddaughter of an old friend,' she answered,
with dignity. 'I have no objection to you in the abstract, Don Gomez.
You have always been vastly civil, I am sure----'

'Stand by us in our day of need, Lady Kirkbank, and you will find me the
staunchest friend you ever had.'

'I am bound in honour to consider Mr. Smithson, Lesbia,' said Lady
Kirkbank. 'I wonder that a decently-brought up girl can behave so
abominably.'

'It would be more abominable to marry a man I detest. I have made up my
mind, Lady Kirkbank. We shall be at Havre to-morrow morning, and we
shall be married to-morrow--shall we not, Gomez?'

She let her