e so dangerous should she decide upon going on with the Fawn
marriage. For the present she had quarrelled with Lord Fawn;--but
the very bitterness of that quarrel, and the decision with which her
betrothed had declared his intention of breaking off the match, made
her the more resolute that she would marry him. During her journey to
Portray she had again determined that he should be her husband; and,
if so, advanced sympathy,--sympathy that would be pleasantly tender
with her cousin Frank, would be dangerous. She would be quite willing
to accept even Miss Macnulty's sympathy, if that humble lady would
give it to her of the kind she wanted. She declared to herself that
she could pour herself out on Miss Macnulty's bosom, and mingle her
tears even with Miss Macnulty's, if only Miss Macnulty would believe
in her. If Miss Macnulty would be enthusiastic about the jewels,
enthusiastic as to the wickedness of Lord Fawn, enthusiastic in
praising Lizzie herself, Lizzie,--so she told herself,--would have
showered all the sweets of female friendship even on Miss Macnulty's
head. But Miss Macnulty was as hard as a deal board. She did as she
was bidden, thereby earning her bread. But there was no tenderness in
her;--no delicacy;--no feeling;--no comprehension. It was thus that
Lady Eustace judged her humble companion; and in one respect she
judged her rightly. Miss Macnulty did not believe in Lady Eustace,
and was not sufficiently gifted to act up to a belief which she did
not entertain.

Poor Lizzie! The world, in judging of people who are false and bad
and selfish and prosperous to outward appearances, is apt to be hard
upon them, and to forget the punishments which generally accompany
such faults. Lizzie Eustace was very false and bad and selfish,--and,
we may say, very prosperous also; but in the midst of all she was
thoroughly uncomfortable. She was never at ease. There was no green
spot in her life with which she could be contented. And though, after
a fashion, she knew herself to be false and bad, she was thoroughly
convinced that she was ill-used by everybody about her. She was being
very badly treated by Lord Fawn;--but she flattered herself that she
would be able to make Lord Fawn know more of her character before she
had done with him.

Portray Castle was really a castle,--not simply a country mansion so
called, but a stone edifice with battlements and a round tower at one
corner, and a gate which looked as if it might