t is a wicked falsehood."

"I care nothing for wickedness or falseness either. Will you promise me
if I hold my tongue that you will have nothing further to say to
Captain De Baron?"

"No; I will promise nothing. I should be ashamed of myself to make such
a promise."

"Then I shall go to Lord George. I do not want to make mischief, but I
am not going to be treated in this way. How would you like it? When I
tell you that the man is engaged to me why cannot you leave him alone?"

"I do leave him alone," said Mary, stamping her foot.

"You do everything you can to cheat me of him. I shall tell Lord
George."

"You may tell whom you like," said Mary, rushing to the bell-handle and
pulling it with all her might. "You have insulted me, and I will never
speak to you again." Then she burst out crying, and hurried to the
door. "Will you--get me--my--carriage?" she said to the man through her
sobs. As she descended the stairs she remembered that she had brought
the German baroness with her, and that the German baroness would
probably expect to be taken away again. But when she reached the hall
the door of the dining-room burst open, and the German baroness
appeared. It was evident that two scenes had been going on in the same
house at the same moment. Through the door the Baroness came first,
waving her hands above her head. Behind her was Aunt Ju, advancing with
imploring gesture. And behind Aunt Ju might be seen Lady Selina Protest
standing in mute dignity. "It is all a got up cheating and a fraud,"
said the Baroness: "and I vill have justice,--English justice." The
servant was standing with the front door open, and the Baroness went
straight into Lady George's brougham, as though it had been her own.
"Oh, Lady George," said Aunt Ju, "what are you to do with her?" But
Lady George was so taken up with her own trouble that she could hardly
think of the other matter. She had to say something. "Perhaps I had
better go with her. Good-bye." And then she followed the Baroness. "I
did not tink dere was such robbery with ladies," said the Baroness. But
the footman was asking for directions for the coachman. Whither was he
to go? "I do not care," said the Baroness. Lady George asked her in a
whisper whether she would be taken home. "Anywhere," said the Baroness.
In the meantime the footman was still standing, and Aunt Ju could be
seen in the hall through the open door of the house. During the whole
time our poor Mary's heart was cr