gest. I will submit
to you in writing my opinion on this matter;"--Lord Fawn had been all
his life submitting his opinion in writing, and thought that he was
rather a good hand at the work. "I will then endeavour to explain to
you the reasons which make me think that it will be better for us
both that our engagement should be at an end. If, after reading it,
you shall disagree with me, and still insist on the right which I
gave you when I asked you to become my wife,--I will then perform the
promise which I certainly made." To this most foolish proposal on his
part, Lizzie, of course, acquiesced. She acquiesced, and bade him
farewell with her sweetest smile. It was now manifest to her that she
could have her husband,--or her revenge, just as she might prefer.

This had been a day of triumph to her, and she was talking of it in
the evening triumphantly to Mrs. Carbuncle, when she was told that a
policeman wanted to see her down-stairs! Oh, those wretched police!
Again all the blood rushed to her head and nearly killed her. She
descended slowly; and was then informed by a man, not dressed,
like Bunfit, in plain clothes, but with all the paraphernalia of a
policeman's uniform, that her late servant, Patience Crabstick, had
given herself up as Queen's evidence, and was now in custody in
Scotland Yard. It had been thought right that she should be so far
informed; but the man was able to tell her nothing further.

CHAPTER LXII

"You Know Where My Heart Is"

On the Sunday following, Frank, as usual, was in Hertford Street. He
had become almost a favourite with Mrs. Carbuncle; and had so far
ingratiated himself even with Lucinda Roanoke that, according to
Lizzie's report, he might, if so inclined, rob Sir Griffin of his
prize without much difficulty. On this occasion he was unhappy and in
low spirits; and when questioned on the subject made no secret of the
fact that he was harassed for money. "The truth is I have overdrawn
my bankers by five hundred pounds, and they have, as they say,
ventured to remind me of it. I wish they were not venturesome quite
so often; for they reminded me of the same fact about a fortnight
ago."

"What do you do with your money, Mr. Greystock?" asked Mrs.
Carbuncle, laughing.

"Muddle it away, paying my bills with it,--according to the very,
very old story. The fact is, I live in that detestable no-man's land,
between respectability and insolvency, which has none of the pleasure
of e