with the money in his glove. That
complicated game she was now playing, and was aware that Harry Clavering
was the great stumbling-block in her way. A woman even less clever than
Sophie would have perceived that Lady Ongar was violently attached to
Harry; and Sophie, when she did see it, thought that there was nothing
left for her but to make her hay while the sun was yet shining. Then she
heard the story of Florence Burton; and again she thought that Fortune
was on her side. She told the story of Florence Burton--with what result
we know; and was quite sharp enough to perceive afterward that the tale
had had its intended effect--even though her Julie had resolutely
declined to speak either of Harry Clavering or of Florence Burton.

Count Pateroff had again called in Bolton Street, and had again been
refused admittance. It was plain to him to see by the servant's manner
that it was intended that he should understand that he was not to be
admitted. Under such circumstances, it was necessary that he must either
abandon his pursuit, or that he must operate upon Lady Ongar through
some other feeling than her personal regard for himself. He might,
perhaps, have trusted much to his own eloquence if he could have seen
her; but how is a man to be eloquent in his wooing if he cannot see the
lady whom he covets? There is, indeed, the penny post, but in these days
of legal restraints, there is no other method of approaching an
unwilling beauty. Forcible abduction is put an end to as regards Great
Britain and Ireland. So the count had resort to the post.

His letter was very long, and shall not, therefore, be given to the
reader. He began by telling Lady Ongar that she owed it to him for the
good services he had done her, to read what he might say, and to answer
him. He then gave her various reasons why she should see him, pleading,
among other things, in language which she could understand, though the
words were purposely as ambiguous as they could be made, that he had
possessed and did possess the power of doing her a grievous injury, and
that he had abstained, and--hoped that he might be able to abstain for
the future. She knew that the words contained no threat--that taken
literally they were the reverse of a threat, and amounted to a
promise--but she understood also that he had intended to imply. Long as
his own letter was, he said nothing in it as to his suit, confining
himself to a request that she should see him. But with h