anything that could be offered to me. It has made me so ill
that I am obliged to go down to Scotland to recruit my health."

"I heard that you were going to Scotland, and I wished to have an
opportunity of saying--just a word to you, in private, before you
go." Mr. Emilius had thought a good deal about this interview, and
had prepared himself for it with considerable care. He knew, with
tolerable accuracy, the whole story of the necklace, having discussed
it with Mrs. Carbuncle, who, as the reader will remember, had been
told the tale by Lord George. He was aware of the engagement with
Lord Fawn, and of the growing intimacy which had existed between Lord
George and Lizzie. He had been watchful, diligent, patient, and had
at last become hopeful. When he learned that his beloved was about
to start for Scotland, he felt that it would be well that he should
strike a blow before she went. As to a journey down to Ayrshire, that
would be nothing to one so enamoured as was Mr. Emilius; and he would
not scruple to show himself at the castle-door without invitation.
Whatever may have been his deficiencies, Mr. Emilius did not lack
the courage needed to carry such an enterprise as this to a happy
conclusion. As far as pluck and courage might serve a man, he was
well served by his own gifts. He could, without a blush, or a quiver
in his voice, have asked a duchess to marry him, with ten times
Lizzie's income. He had now considered deeply whether, with the view
of prevailing, it would be better that he should allude to the lady's
trespasses in regard to the diamonds, or that he should pretend to be
in ignorance; and he had determined that ultimate success might, with
most probability, be achieved by a bold declaration of the truth.
"I know how desperately you must be in want of some one to help you
through your troubles, and I know also that your grand lovers will
avoid you because of what you have done, and therefore you had better
take me at once. Take me, and I'll bring you through everything.
Refuse me, and I'll help to crush you." Such were the arguments
which Mr. Emilius had determined to use, and such the language,--of
course, with some modifications. He was now commencing his work, and
was quite resolved to leave no stone unturned in carrying it to a
successful issue. He drew his chair nearer to Lizzie as he announced
his desire for a private interview, and leaned over towards her with
his two hands closed together between h