dinner the conversation was kept up at the
other end of the table by Lizzie talking to Augusta across her lover.
This was done in such a manner as to seem to include Lord Fawn in
every topic discussed. Parliament, India, the Sawab, Ireland, the
special privileges of the House of Lords, the ease of a bachelor
life, and the delight of having at his elbow just such a rural
retreat as Fawn Court,--these were the fruitful themes of Lizzie's
eloquence. Augusta did her part at any rate with patience; and as for
Lizzie herself, she worked with that superhuman energy which women
can so often display in making conversation under unfavourable
circumstances. The circumstances were unfavourable, for Lord Fawn
himself would hardly open his mouth; but Lizzie persevered, and the
hour of dinner passed over without any show of ill-humour, or of
sullen silence. When the hour was over, Lord Fawn left the room with
the ladies, and was soon closeted with his mother, while the girls
strolled out upon the lawn. Would Lizzie play croquet? No; Lizzie
would not play croquet. She thought it probable that she might catch
her lover and force him to walk with her through the shrubberies; but
Lord Fawn was not seen upon the lawn that evening, and Lizzie was
forced to content herself with Augusta as a companion. In the course
of the evening, however, her lover did say a word to her in private.
"Give me ten minutes to-morrow between breakfast and church, Lizzie."
Lizzie promised that she would do so, smiling sweetly. Then there was
a little music, and then Lord Fawn retired to his studies.

"What is he going to say to me?" Lizzie asked Augusta the next
morning. There existed in her bosom a sort of craving after
confidential friendship,--but with it there existed something that
was altogether incompatible with confidence. She thoroughly despised
Augusta Fawn, and yet would have been willing,--in want of a better
friend,--to press Augusta to her bosom, and swear that there should
ever be between them the tenderest friendship. She desired to be
the possessor of the outward shows of all those things of which the
inward facts are valued by the good and steadfast ones of the earth.
She knew what were the aspirations,--what the ambition, of an honest
woman; and she knew, too, how rich were the probable rewards of
such honesty. True love, true friendship, true benevolence, true
tenderness, were beautiful to her,--qualities on which she could
descant almost wit