With a scornful lip Jessica repeated the
words, "First-rate prospects! Indeed?"

His lordship was taken back. A most
bold and daring girl. Dudley knew everything.
"Well, eventually, eventually. In
short, he is entitled to look for a first-rate
match and connexion; and really, Miss
Bailey, to speak plainly——"

"You have been speaking plainly, my
lord, have you not?" she said, interrupting
him in a sort of passionate manner.
"Why is this addressed to me? What
have I done? I scorn deception of every
kind, and will not affect ignorance of the
object that has brought Lord Formanton
here. Is this the meaning of it, that I
interfere with these prospects and the
necessity of your son's making an
advantageous marriage? In fairness, I may ask,
is this what you are coming to?"

"No, no—dear no," said the other,
rather alarmed. "God forbid! But young
men are so impulsive, and I was so afraid
my son had gone further than——"

"Gone further!" said she, her face
flushing up, and her eyes flashing. "Now
I understand. Then ask him for the whole
story, and he is honourable enough to tell.
He will suppress nothing as to my behaviour.
Ask him for the two letters I wrote
to him last night and this morning. Oh!
what have I done to be exposed to this!"

He was much alarmed at the sensation-scene
into which he had been drawn. He
was a clumsy negotiator: possibly, as some
of his friends said, because he had been
attaché at a foreign court. "Oh, I didn't
mean to say it was your fault!"

"My fault!" she repeated. "You are
determined to heap mortifications on me.
But I am not one of those who disdain to
clear themselves through mistaken delicacy.
There must be justice done me in this
matter. You seem to think of me as—I
blush to say it—as some unworthy schemer
with designs, as it is called; one who was
to be frightened or bought off."

His lordship started at this last charge,
which was very near the truth. "I give
you my solemn word of honour," he said,
not pointing this solemn affirmation at any
statement, "that is, I never meant——
But what can a man do? He hears all
sorts of strange rumours about his son."

"This will not do, my lord," said she,
proudly. "You owe me an amende; and
I must appeal to Mr. Conway solemnly in
this matter."

"To be sure. I promise it," said the
peer, joyfully. "Nothing could be more
handsome or fairer."

"I am sure," went on Jessica, "one
of your rank and honour will not be
content with that conventional amende.
Your own heart will tell you that an
acknowledgment, as formal as the charge you
came here to make, is owing to me."

"I shall make it a point," said the nobleman,
eagerly, "you may depend on it.
You see, it is a delicate matter on both
sides, and hard to approach. You must
be indulgent, Miss Bailey, in the case of a
father; for, I assure you, in George's case
we cannot afford—it would be fatal—to
make a mistake. I am really sorry to have
hurt your feelings; but the family depends,
to a great measure, on George. Here is
this fine estate of Panton Castle, and all
that—a nice girl——"

"You put them in the proper order,"
said she.

"Ehem! Well, you know I am a business
man; and no man, peer or peasant, is
ashamed to want money or advancement.
He is my own son, and I look to his real
interest."

"With those views, then, you had better
speak to my father, whom I see coming in
now. But, before that, I ask you, finally,
do you understand my position in this
matter?"

"Certainly—certainly; depend on me."

Now Ready, price 5s. 6d., bound in green cloth,
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MR. CHARLES DICKENS'S FINAL READINGS.

MR. CHARLES DICKENS'S FINAL FAREWELL
READINGS will take place at St. James's Hall, as
follows: Tuesday, February 22, "Nicholas Nickleby at
Mr. Squeers's School" (last time), and "Mr. Chops
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Copperfield" (last time), and the "Trial from Pickwick."
Tuesday, March 8, "Boots at the Holly Tree
Inn" (last time), "Sikes and Nancy" (from Oliver
Twist, last time), and "Mr. Bob Sawyer's Party" (from
Pickwick, last time). Tuesday, March 15 (FINAL
FAREWELL READING), "The Christmas Carol"
(last time), and the "Trial from Pickwick" (last time).
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