d, "I do not wish to do that. My worst would be to bring
the honored name of Lady Amelie Lisle into the divorce court, and that I
should not like to do. Do not decide hastily. I cannot remain in England
very long. Take a week to decide in and let me know when I am to have
the money."

She turned from him with the scornful gesture of an outraged queen.

"We shall see," she muttered between her white teeth. "We shall see."

She spoke no other word to him, but went back to her seat. Count Jules
bowed and quitted the room.

"You do not like that man, Lady Lisle?" said Basil, as he looked at her
fair, flushed face. Before she had time to answer, they were joined by
some ladies of his acquaintance, and were not able to exchange another
word on the subject. As he was leaving, Lady Lisle looked out of the
carriage.

"Mr. Carruthers!" she said. He was by her side in a moment. She was pale
and agitated, not quite herself.

"You are my sworn knight," she said, laying her hand on his.

"Until death!" he replied.

"You promised to help me at any risk, in any difficulty, and now I am
going to ask your aid."

"It is yours. My whole life is yours," he cried. She smiled, sadly.

"There are some things more valuable than life. Perhaps what I ask from
you will cost you dear."

"I do not care in the least what it costs," he said.

"You are coming to dine with us; we do not dine this evening until
eight. Come soon after six. I have a story to tell you."

"I will not fail," he replied. "Do not be anxious, Lady Lisle, you look
distressed. Trust in me; far as human aid can go, mine is yours."

His clear blue eyes lingered on her perfect face, and again, for the
second time in her life, the queen of coquettes felt something like pity
for the man she was luring to his doom. She leaned back in the carriage
after he was gone, with a most triumphant smile on her lips.

"What wonders a pretty face can work," she thought. "I feel quite safe,
now that my troubles are to rest on his broad shoulders. How I should
like to see that Jules trampled upon and crushed. My knight will save
me."

She never remembered that he was the only son of his mother--a widow.
She cared little that he was the head of a grand old race. She thought
still less of his talents, his honest enthusiasm, his simplicity, except
so far as it answered her purpose.

CHAPTER XIII.

Ladie Amelia's Story.

A few hours later, and Lady Lisle was seated in her