Lord Fawn,
who rarely forgot anything, had certainly not forgotten the Sawab;
and Frank was aware that he might soon be called on to address his
lordship in anything but friendly terms. They said, however, a few
words about Parliament and the weather, and the desirability of
escaping from London.

"Frank," said Lady Eustace, "is coming down in August to shoot my
three annual grouse at Portray. He would keep one for you, my lord,
if he thought you would come for it."

"I'll promise Lord Fawn a fair third, at any rate," said Frank.

"I cannot visit Portray this August, I'm afraid," said his lordship,
"much as I might wish to do so. One of us must remain at the India
Office--"

"Oh, that weary India Office!" exclaimed Lizzie.

"I almost think you official men are worse off than we barristers,"
said Frank. "Well, Lizzie, good-bye. I dare say I shall see you again
before you start."

"Of course you will," said Lizzie. And then the two lovers were left
together. They had met once, at Lady Glencora's ball, since the
quarrel at Fawn Court, and there, as though by mutual forbearance,
had not alluded to their troubles. Now he had come, especially to
speak of the matter that concerned them both so deeply. As long as
Frank Greystock was in the room, his work was comparatively easy,
but he had known beforehand that he would not find it at all easy
should he be left alone with her. Lizzie began. "My lord," she said,
"considering all that has passed between us, you have been a truant."

"Yes;--I admit it--but--"

"With me, my lord, a fault admitted is a fault forgiven." Then she
took her old seat on the sofa, and he placed himself on the chair
which Frank Greystock had occupied. He had not intended to own a
fault, and certainly not to accept forgiveness; but she had been too
quick for him; and now he could not find words by which to express
himself. "In truth," she continued, "I would always rather remember
one kindness than a dozen omissions on the part of a friend."

"Lady Eustace, I have not willingly omitted anything."

"So be it. I will not give you the slightest excuse for saying that
you have heard a reproach from me. You have come at last, and you are
welcome. Is that enough for you?"

He had much to say to her about the diamonds, and, when he was
entering the room, he had not a word to say to her about anything
else. Since that, another subject had sprung up before him. Whether
he was, or was not, to regard him