ike. And now about this girl. Do you intend
to let this mystery continue, or do you think that, under the
circumstances, Lady Hester should still retain her as a friend and
companion?"

"I know of nothing to her disparagement, nor have I yet met one who
does. That there are circumstances which she does not deem fitting to
entrust to my keeping is no just cause of allegation against her."

"You are very honorable to say so, George; but I must confess it is more
than she deserves at your hands."

"How do you mean?"

"That she means to take the Russian, that's all."

"Well, and why not? Would not such a match be a brilliant one for a girl
of much higher rank and pretension?"

"What's the use of all this fencing, man?" said Norwood, half angrily,
"I know better how matters stand. Do you remember the night you lost so
heavily at Macao? Well, I was lying stretched on the sofa, yonder, by
the light of the fire only, when the door opened, and she stepped gently
in."

"What, Kate Dalton?"

"Yes, Kate Dalton. Oh! impossible, if you like deny it as much as you
please, but she has not equal hardihood, that I can tell you; and if she
had, here is the proof that could condemn her, this fragment of her lace
flounce was caught in the door as she banged it in her escape; and this
very evening I compared it with the dress in question; ay, and showed
her the rent from which it came."

Twice did George compel Norwood to repeat over this story; and then sat
down, overwhelmed with sorrow and shame.

"You swear to me, then, Onslow, that you never saw her here, never knew
of her coming?" said he, after a long silence between them.

"Never, I swear!" said the other, solemnly.

"Then, some other is the fortunate man, that's all. How good if it
should turn out to be Jekyl!" And he laughed heartily at the absurdity
of the conceit.

"No more of this," said Onslow, passionately. "The tone of the society
we live in here would seem to warrant any or every imputation, even on
those whose lives are spotless; and I know of no greater degradation
than the facility of our belief in them. In this instance, however, my
conscience is at ease; and I reject, with contempt, the possibility of a
stain upon that girl's honor."

"The sentiment does more credit to your chivalry than your shrewdness,
George," said the Viscount, sarcastically.

"But as you are about to stake your life on the issue, I cannot impugn
your sincerity."

A hasty moveme