she has accepted him," she said in a whisper. She was not now
desirous that any one should hear her but he to whom she spoke.

"Of course she has," said Lord George.

"I don't know about that, George. Sometimes I thought she would, and
sometimes that she wouldn't. You have never understood Lucinda."

"I hope Griff will understand her,--that's all. And now that the
thing is settled, you'll not trouble me about it any more. Their woes
be on their own head. If they come to blows Lucinda will thrash him,
I don't doubt. But while it's simply a matter of temper and words,
she won't find Tewett so easy-going as he looks."

"I believe they'll do very well together."

"Perhaps they will. There's no saying who may do well together. You
and Carbuncle get on a merveille. When is it to be?"

"Of course nothing is settled yet."

"Don't be too hard about settlements, or, maybe, he'll find a way of
wriggling out. When a girl without a shilling asks very much, the
world supports a man for breaking his engagement. Let her pretend to
be indifferent about it;--that will be the way to keep him firm."

"What is his income, George?"

"I haven't an idea. There never was a closer man about money. I
believe he must have the bulk of the Tewett property some day. He
can't spend above a couple of thousand now."

"He's not in debt, is he?"

"He owes me a little money,--twelve hundred or so, and I mean to have
it. I suppose he is in debt, but not much, I think. He makes stupid
bets, and the devil won't break him of it."

"Lucinda has two or three thousand pounds, you know."

"That's a flea-bite. Let her keep it. You're in for it now, and you'd
better say nothing about money. He has a decent solicitor, and let
him arrange about the settlements. And look here, Jane;--get it done
as soon as you can."

"You'll help me?"

"If you don't bother me, I will."

On their way home Mrs. Carbuncle was able to tell Lady Eustace. "You
know what has occurred?"

"Oh, dear, yes," said Lizzie, laughing.

"Has Lucinda told you?"

"Do you think I've got no eyes? Of course it was going to be. I knew
that from the very moment Sir Griffin reached Portray. I am so glad
that Portray has been useful."

"Oh, so useful, dear Lady Eustace! Not but what it must have come off
anywhere, for there never was a man so much in love as Sir Griffin.
The difficulty has been with Lucinda."

"She likes him, I suppose?"

"Oh, yes, of course," said Mrs. Carbuncle wi