o whom do you think that it belongs?"

"I have refused to look at a single paper on the subject, and my
opinion is worth nothing. From what I have heard in conversation with
Mr. Camperdown and John Eustace, I cannot find that they make their
case good."

"Nor can I," said Lizzie.

"A case is to be prepared for Mr. Dove."

"Who is Mr. Dove?"

"Mr. Dove is a barrister, and no doubt a very clever fellow. If his
opinion be such as Mr. Camperdown expects, he will at once proceed
against you at law for the immediate recovery of the necklace."

"I shall be ready for him," said Lizzie, and as she spoke all her
little feminine softnesses were for the moment laid aside.

"If Mr. Dove's opinion be in your favour--"

"Well," said Lizzie,--"what then?"

"In that case Mr. Camperdown, acting on behalf of John Eustace and
young Florian--"

"How dreadful it is to hear of my bitterest enemy acting on behalf of
my own child!" said Lizzie, holding up her hands piteously. "Well?"

"In that case Mr. Camperdown will serve you with some notice that the
jewels are not yours,--to part with them as you may please."

"But they will be mine."

"He says not;--but in such case he will content himself with taking
steps which may prevent you from selling them."

"Who says that I want to sell them?" demanded Lizzie indignantly.

"Or from giving them away,--say to a second husband."

"How little they know me!"

"Now I have told you all about Mr. Camperdown."

"Yes."

"And the next thing is to tell you about Lord Fawn."

"That is everything. I care nothing for Mr. Camperdown; nor yet for
Mr. Dove,--if that is his absurd name. Lord Fawn is of more moment to
me,--though, indeed, he has given me but little cause to say so."

"In the first place, I must explain to you that Lord Fawn is very
unhappy."

"He may thank himself for it."

"He is pulled this way and that, and is half distraught; but he has
stated with as much positive assurance as such a man can assume, that
the match must be regarded as broken off unless you will at once
restore the necklace."

"He does?"

"He has commissioned me to give you that message;--and it is my duty,
Lizzie, as your friend, to tell you my conviction that he repents his
engagement."

She now rose from her chair and began to walk about the room. "He
shall not go back from it. He shall learn that I am not a creature
at his own disposal in that way. He shall find that I have some
strength,--i