don't
let him know you are deserted and ruined; make a favor of coming, but
_come_: and a word in your ear--he can do more for you than Braham can,
or will ever do again. So don't you thwart him if you can help."

She was quick enough to see there was something weighty behind, and she
consented. He took her back with him; only she was such a long time
removing the traces of tears, and choosing the bonnet she thought she
should look best in, that she made him twenty minutes late and rather
cross. It is a way women have of souring that honeycomb, a man.

When the trio met at the office the husband was pale, the wife dull
and sullen.

"It's the last time I shall trouble you, Lucy," said Monckton.

"As you please, Leonard."

"And I want you to make my fortune."

"You have only to tell me how." (Quite incredulously.)

"You must accompany me to Derbyshire, or else meet me at Derby, whichever
you please. Oh, don't be alarmed. I don't ask you to travel with me as
man and wife."

"It doesn't much matter, I suppose," said Lucy, doggedly.

"Well, you are accommodating; I'll be considerate."

"No doubt you will," said Lucy; then turning her glorious eyes full
upon him, "WHAT'S THE CRIME?"

"The crime!" said Monckton, looking all about the room to find it.
"What crime?"

"The crime I'm wanted for; all your schemes are criminal, you know."

"Well, you're complimentary. It's not a crime this time; it's only a
confession."

"Ah! What am I to confess--bigamy?"

"The idea! No. You are to confess--in a distant part of England, what you
can deny in London next day--that on a certain day you married a
gentleman called Walter Clifford."

"I'll say that on the eleventh day of June, 1868, I married a gentleman
who was called Walter Clifford."

This was Lucy's reply, and given very doggedly.

"Bravo! and will you stand to it if the real Walter Clifford says it
is a lie?"

Lucy reflected. "No, I will not."

"Well, well, we shall have time to talk about that: when can you start?"

"Give me three days."

"All right."

"You won't keep me there long after I have done this wicked thing?"

"No, no. I will send you home with flying colors, and you shall have your
share of the plunder."

"I'd rather go into service again and work my fingers to the bone."

"Since you have such a contempt for money, perhaps you'll stand
fifty pounds?"

"I have no money with me, but I'll ask Mr. Middleton to advance me some."

She open