no more than the length of an arm from
her elbow.

In the midst of the horrible anguish she was enduring, the Countess
could not help criticizing her mother's curtsey to Lady Jocelyn. Fine,
but a shade too humble. Still it was fine; all might not yet be lost.

'Mama!' she softly exclaimed, and thanked heaven that she had not denied
her parent.

Mrs. Mel did not notice her or any of her children. There was in her
bosom a terrible determination to cast a devil out of the one she
best loved. For this purpose, heedless of all pain to be given, or of
impropriety, she had come to speak publicly, and disgrace and humiliate,
that she might save him from the devils that had ruined his father.

'My lady,' said the terrible woman, thanking her in reply to an
invitation that she should be seated, 'I have come for my son. I hear
he has been playing the lord in your house, my lady. I humbly thank
your ladyship for your kindness to him, but he is nothing more than
a tailor's son, and is bound a tailor himself that his father may be
called an honest man. I am come to take him away.'

Mrs. Mel seemed to speak without much effort, though the pale flush of
her cheeks showed that she felt what she was doing. Juliana was pale as
death, watching Rose. Intensely bright with the gem-like light of her
gallant spirit, Rose's eyes fixed on Evan. He met them. The words of
Ruth passed through his heart. But the Countess, who had given Rose to
Evan, and the Duke to Caroline, where was her supporter? The Duke was
entertaining Caroline with no less dexterity, and Rose's eyes said to
Evan: 'Feel no shame that I do not feel!' but the Countess stood alone.
It is ever thus with genius! to quote the numerous illustrious authors
who have written of it.

What mattered it now that in the dead hush Lady Jocelyn should assure
her mother that she had been misinformed, and that Mrs. Mel was
presently quieted, and made to sit with others before the fruits and
wines? All eyes were hateful--the very thought of Providence confused
her brain. Almost reduced to imbecility, the Countess imagined, as
a reality, that Sir Abraham had borne with her till her public
announcement of relationship, and that then the outraged ghost would no
longer be restrained, and had struck this blow.

The crushed pic-nic tried to get a little air, and made attempts at
conversation. Mrs. Mel sat upon the company with the weight of all
tailordom.

And now a messenger came for Harry.