er
mind to the affairs of the wedding, remained alone in her own
sitting-room during the greater part of the day;--but she did show
herself while Lord George was there. "So I hear that Mackintosh has
been here," said Lord George.

"Yes,--he was here."

"And what did he say?" Lizzie did not like the way in which the man
looked at her, feeling it to be not only unfriendly, but absolutely
cruel. It seemed to imply that he knew that her secret was about to
be divulged. And what was he to her now that he should be impertinent
to her? What he knew, all the world would know before the end of the
week. And that other man who knew it already, had been kind to her,
had said nothing about perjury, but had explained to her that what
she would have to bear would be trouble, and not imprisonment and
loss of money. Lord George, to whom she had been so civil, for whom
she had spent money, to whom she had almost offered herself and all
that she possessed,--Lord George, whom she had selected as the first
repository of her secret, had spoken no word to comfort her, but had
made things look worse for her than they were. Why should she submit
to be questioned by Lord George? In a day or two the secret which he
knew would be no secret. "Never mind what he said, Lord George," she
replied.

"Has he found it all out?"

"You had better go and ask himself," said Lizzie. "I am sick of the
subject, and I mean to have done with it."

Lord George laughed, and Lizzie hated him for his laugh.

"I declare," said Mrs. Carbuncle, "that you two who were such friends
are always snapping at each other now."

"The fickleness is all on her ladyship's part,--not on mine," said
Lord George; whereupon Lady Eustace walked out of the room and was
not seen again till dinner-time.

Soon afterwards Lucinda also endeavoured to escape, but to this Sir
Griffin objected. Sir Griffin was in a very good humour, and bore
himself like a prosperous bridegroom. "Come, Luce," he said, "get off
your high horse for a little. To-morrow, you know, you must come down
altogether."

"So much the more reason for my remaining up to-day."

"I'll be shot if you shall," said Sir Griffin. "Luce, sit in my lap,
and give me a kiss."

At this moment Lord George and Mrs. Carbuncle were in the front
drawing-room, and Lord George was telling her the true story as to
the necklace. It must be explained on his behalf that in doing this
he did not consider that he was betraying the tru