as about to answer with enthusiasm that there were many things she
could do; but stopped short, arrested by these last words. "A girl of
family,"--that, no doubt, made a difference. She paused, and looked
somewhat wistfully in her companion's face. "We think," she said, "in
England that anything is better than a marriage without----"

The Contessa put up her hand to stay the words. "Without love---- I know
what you are going to say; but, my angel, that is a word which Bice has
never heard spoken. She knows it not. She has not the habit of thinking
it necessary--she is a good girl, and she has no sentiment. Besides, why
should we go so fast? If she produces the effect I hope---- Why should
not some one present himself whom she could also love? Oh yes; fall in
love with, as you say in English--such an innocent phrase; let us hope
that, when the proper person comes who satisfies my requirements,
Bice--to whom not a word shall be said--will fall in love with him
_comme il faut_!"

Lucy did not make any reply. She was troubled by the light laugh with
which the Contessa concluded, and with the slight change of tone which
was perceptible. But she was still too much moved by her own emotion to
have got beyond its spell, and she had committed herself beyond recall.
While the Contessa talked on with--was it a little, little change?--a
faint difference, a levity that had not been in her voice before? Lucy's
thoughts went back upon what she had done with a little tremor. Not this
time as to what Tom might say, but with a deeper wonder and pang as to
what might come of it; was she going voluntarily into new danger, such
as she had no clue to, and could not understand? After a little while
she asked almost timidly--

"But if Bice should not see any one----"

"You mean if no one suitable should present himself?" The Contessa
suddenly grew very grave. She put her hands together with a gesture of
entreaty. "My sweet one, let us not think of that. When she is dressed
as I shall dress her, and brought out--as you will enable me to bring
her out. My Lucy, we do not know what is in her. She will shine, she
will charm. Even now, if she is excited, there are moments in which she
is beautiful. If she fails altogether---- Ah, my love, as I tell you,
there is where the curse of poverty comes in. Had she even a moderate
fortune, poor child; but alas, orphan, with no one but me----"

"Is she an orphan?" said Lucy, feeling ashamed of the moment