. Hamel is a gentleman of whom we
do not approve. You cannot have seen very much of him, and it would
be very easy for you, should he bow to you again in the park, to let
him see that you do not like it."

"But I do like it," said Lucy, with energy.

"Lucy!"

"I do like to see Mr. Hamel, and I feel almost sure that he will come
and call here now that he has seen me. Last winter he asked me my
address, and I gave him this house."

"When you were living with your Aunt Dosett?"

"Yes, I did, Aunt Emmeline. I thought Aunt Margaret would not like
him to come to Kingsbury Crescent, and, as Ayala was to be here, I
told him he might call at Queen's Gate."

Then Lady Tringle was really angry. It was not only that her house
should have been selected for so improper a use but that Lucy should
have shown a fear and a respect for Mrs. Dosett which had not been
accorded to herself. It was shocking to her pride that that should
have appeared to be easy of achievement at Queen's Gate which was
too wicked to be attempted at Kingsbury Crescent. And then the thing
which had been done seemed in itself to her to be so horrible! This
girl, when living under the care of her aunt, had made an appointment
with an improper young man at the house of another aunt! Any
appointment made by a young lady with a young man must, as she
thought, be wrong. She began to be aghast at the very nature of the
girl who could do such a thing, and on reflecting that that girl was
at present under her charge as an adopted daughter. "Lucy," she said,
very impressively, "there must be an end of this."

"There cannot be an end of it," said Lucy.

"Do you mean to say that he is to come here to this house whether I
and your uncle like it or not?"

"He will come," said Lucy; "I am sure he will come. Now he has seen
me he will come at once."

"Why should he do that if he is not your lover?"

"Because," said Lucy,--and then she paused; "because--. It is very
hard to tell you, Aunt Emmeline."

"Why should he come so quickly?" demanded Aunt Emmeline again.

"Because--. Though he has said nothing to me such as that you mean,"
stammered out Lucy, determined to tell the whole truth, "I believe
that he will."

"And you?"

"If he did I should accept him."

"Has he any means?"

"I do not know."

"Have you any?"

"Certainly not."

"And you would consent to be his wife after what I've told you?"

"Yes," said Lucy, "I should."

"Then it must not be in