so
quickly, and I didn't like to say that I had them under my pillow."

"I daresay not."

"And then I couldn't tell anybody afterwards. I always meant to tell
you,--from the very first; because I knew you would be good to me.
They are my own. Surely I might do what I liked with my own?"

"Well,--yes; in one way. But you see there was a lawsuit in Chancery
going on about them; and then you committed perjury at Carlisle. And
altogether,--it's not quite straight sailing, you know."

"I suppose not."

"Hardly. Major Mackintosh, and the magistrates, and Messrs. Bunfit
and Gager won't settle down, peaceable and satisfied, when they hear
the end of the story. And I think Messrs. Camperdown will have a bill
against you. It's been uncommonly clever, but I don't see the use of
it."

"I've been very foolish," said Lizzie,--"but you won't desert me!"

"Upon my word I don't know what I'm to do."

"Will you have them,--as a present?"

"Certainly not."

"They're worth ever so much;--ten thousand pounds! And they are my
own, to do just what I please with them."

"You are very good;--but what should I do with them?"

"Sell them."

"Who'd buy them? And before a week was over I should be in prison,
and in a couple of months should be standing at the Old Bailey at my
trial. I couldn't just do that, my dear."

"What will you do for me? You are my friend;--ain't you?" The diamond
necklace was not a desirable possession in the eyes of Lord George
de Bruce Carruthers;--but Portray Castle, with its income, and
the fact that Lizzie Eustace was still a very young woman, was
desirable. Her prettiness too was not altogether thrown away on Lord
George,--though, as he was wont to say to himself, he was too old now
to sacrifice much for such a toy as that. Something he must do,--if
only because of the knowledge which had come to him. He could not go
away and leave her, and neither say nor do anything in the matter.
And he could not betray her to the police. "You will not desert me!"
she said, taking hold of his hand, and kissing it as a suppliant.

He passed his arm round her waist, but more as though she were a
child than a woman, as he stood thinking. Of all the affairs in which
he had ever been engaged, it was the most difficult. She submitted
to his embrace, and leaned upon his shoulder, and looked up into his
face. If he would only tell her that he loved her, then he would
be bound to her,--then must he share with her the burt