"Yes, that is the one drawback. After all it does not matter," said Mr. Sewell, "many young men make simpletons of themselves in the same way. People do not pay much attention." Lord Lanswell looked at his wife's handsome, inflexible face. "It is a desperate thing to do, Lucia," he said, "for Lance loves her very dearly." "It was a desperate action on his part to marry without consulting us," said my lady. "He will be of age next June," said the earl, "do you think that he will be true to her?" "No," said the countess, proudly. "I can safely pledge you my word that he will not." CHAPTER XII. "THEY WILL NOT FORGIVE ME." "Thank Heaven," said the countess, "that the matter can be set straight. If there had been no remedy I should have lost my reason over it. The boy must have been mad or blinded, or very probably drawn into it in some disgraceful fashion or other." My lady was triumphant, her handsome face lighted with satisfaction, but the earl looked grave. The lawyer had taken his leave, and they still remained to discuss matters. Lord Lanswell did not seem so well pleased; he went up to my lady where she was standing. "Lucia," he began, "do you think that if we succeed in parting these two we shall do quite right?" "Right," cried my lady. "I shall think it one of the most virtuous actions of my life." "Well," said the earl, "I am sorry that I cannot quite agree with you. No doubt this marriage is vexatious enough, but whether it is well to obliterate all traces of it, or rather to do away with it altogether, is quite another thing." "I am the best judge of what is right in this case," said my lady, haughtily; "I will have no interference. The business part of it must be attended to at once." "At least you will write to Lance and tell him what you intend doing?" "Yes, I have no objection to that," she replied; "it can make no possible difference to him." "He may try to make some compromise," said Lord Lanswell, whose heart smote him as he thought of the passionate, beautiful face. "There can be no compromise; he must give her up at once, and marry some one in his own rank," said the countess. "I will write the letter at once, and I must ask you, Ross, not to be weak. A weak man is the most contemptible object in creation." "I will try not to be weak, my dear," said the earl, submissively; "but I am concerned for Lance." "Lance must take his chance," said my lady, too angry to be conscious of the rhyme; "he has done wrong, and he must suffer for it. He will thank Heaven in a year's time from now that I have saved him." Still Lord Lanswell looked at his wife with a grave expression of doubt. "You think, then, Lucia, that in a year's time he will have forgotten that poor young wife?" "I am quite sure of it. Long before I had heard of this foolish affair I had decided in my own mind whom he should marry, and I see no reason for changing my plans."