tion to be taken by us in matters as to
which the plainest theory prevails for the guidance of our practice,
depends so frequently on accompanying circumstances and correlative
issues, that the theory, as often as not, falls to the ground. Frank
could not despise this woman, and could not be stern to her. He could
not bring himself to tell her boldly that he would have nothing to
say to her in the way of love. He made excuses for her, and persuaded
himself that there were peculiar circumstances in her position
justifying unwomanly conduct, although, had he examined himself on
the subject, he would have found it difficult to say what those
circumstances were. She was rich, beautiful, clever,--and he was
flattered. Nevertheless he knew that he could not marry her;--and he
knew also that much as he liked her he did not love her. "Lizzie," he
said, "I think you hardly understand my position."

"Yes, I do. That little girl has cozened you out of a promise."

"If it be so, you would not have me break it."

"Yes, I would, if you think she is not fit to be your wife. Is a
man such as you are, to be tied by the leg for life, have all his
ambition clipped, and his high hopes shipwrecked, because a girl has
been clever enough to extract a word from him? Is it not true that
you are in debt?"

"What of that? At any rate, Lizzie, I do not want help from you."

"That is so like a man's pride! Do we not all know that in such a
career as you have marked out for yourself, wealth, or at any rate an
easy income, is necessary? Do you think that I cannot put two and two
together? Do you believe so meanly of me as to imagine that I should
have said to you what I have said, if I did not know that I could
help you? A man, I believe, cannot understand that love which induces
a woman to sacrifice her pride simply for his advantage. I want to
see you prosper. I want to see you a great man and a lord, and I know
that you cannot become so without an income. Ah, I wish I could give
you all that I have got, and save you from the encumbrance that is
attached to it!"

It might be that he would then have told her of his engagement to
Lucy, and of his resolution to adhere to that promise, had not Mrs.
Carbuncle at that moment entered the room. Frank had been there for
above an hour, and as Lizzie was still an invalid, and to some extent
under the care of Mrs. Carbuncle, it was natural that that lady
should interfere. "You know, my dear, you should