her for having jilted him. Perhaps England was the
only place for her now. The English were a sordid people, consisting
chiefly of shopkeepers, jockeys, tyrants, and professional beauties, and
as they thought of nothing but money and their own advantage, Cecilia's
fortune would insure her a good reception among them, even though it was
not a very large one. Not that the girl was lacking in the most charming
qualities and the most exceptional gifts, which would have made her a
desirable wife for any man, if only she had not made this fatal mistake.
Such things stuck to a woman through life, like a disgrace, though that
was a great injustice, because Cecilia was acting under conviction, poor
girl, and believed she was doing right! It was most unfortunate. The
Princess pitied her very much and would always treat her just as if
nothing had happened, if they ever met. Guido would certainly behave in
the same way and would always be kind, though he would naturally not
seek her society.

The Princess was very angry, and it was not strange that the Countess
should have come home a little flushed after the interview and very
unexpectedly inclined to be glad, after all, that the engagement was at
an end. The Princess had not said one rude word to her, but it was quite
clear that she was furious at seeing Cecilia's fortune slip from the
grasp of her nephew. It almost looked as if she had expected to get a
part of it herself, though the Countess supposed that should be out of
the question. Nevertheless the past question of the million which was to
have constituted Cecilia's dowry began to rankle, and the Countess's
instinct told her that the old lady had probably had some interest in
the matter. Indeed, the Princess had told her that Guido had
considerable debts, and had vaguely hinted that she had herself
sometimes helped him in his difficulties. Of the two, Guido was more to
be believed than his aunt, but there was a mysterious element in the
whole matter.

The Princess and Monsieur Leroy consulted the spirits now, and she found
some consolation when she was told that she should yet get back most of
the money she had lost, if she would only trust herself to her truest
friend, who was none other than Monsieur Leroy himself. The forlorn
little ghost of the only being she had ever really loved in the world
was made to assume the character of a financial adviser, and she herself
was led like a lamb by the thread of affection that bo