me of a remaining desire to marry Lord Fawn was still
imputed to her. And, of course, the one crime heightened the other.
So that words from the eloquent pen of Mrs. Hittaway failed to make
dark enough the blackness of poor Lizzie's character. As for Mr.
Greystock, he was simply a heartless man of the world, wishing to
feather his nest. Mrs. Hittaway did not for a moment believe that he
had ever dreamed of marrying Lucy Morris. Men always have three or
four little excitements of that kind going on for the amusement of
their leisure hours,--so, at least, said Mrs. Hittaway. "The girl had
better be told at once." Such was her decision about poor Lucy. "I
can't do more than I have done," said Lady Fawn to Augusta. "She'll
never get over it, mamma; never," said Augusta.

Nothing more was said, and Lucy was sent off in the family carriage.
Lydia and Nina were sent with her, and though there was some weeping
on the journey, there was also much laughing. The character of the
"duchess" was discussed very much at large, and many promises were
made as to long letters. Lucy, in truth, was not unhappy. She would
be nearer to Frank; and then it had been almost promised her that she
should go to the deanery, after a residence of six months with Lady
Linlithgow. At the deanery of course she would see Frank; and she
also understood that a long visit to the deanery would be the surest
prelude to that home of her own of which she was always dreaming.

"Dear me;--sent you up in the carriage, has she? Why shouldn't you
have come by the railway?"

"Lady Fawn thought the carriage best. She is so very kind."

"It's what I call twaddle, you know. I hope you ain't afraid of going
in a cab."

"Not in the least, Lady Linlithgow."

"You can't have the carriage to go about here. Indeed, I never have a
pair of horses till after Christmas. I hope you know that I'm as poor
as Job."

"I didn't know."

"I am, then. You'll get nothing beyond wholesome food with me. And
I'm not sure it is wholesome always. The butchers are scoundrels, and
the bakers are worse. What used you to do at Lady Fawn's?"

"I still did lessons with the two youngest girls."

"You won't have any lessons to do here, unless you do 'em with me.
You had a salary there?"

"Oh yes."

"Fifty pounds a year, I suppose."

"I had eighty."

"Had you, indeed; eighty pounds;--and a coach to ride in!"

"I had a great deal more than that, Lady Linlithgow."

"How do you mean?"