Fanny laughed at this prompt pugnacity. “Oh, yes, I am,” said she; “devoted. But he has a weakness, you must own. He is rather fond of gambling.” “He is, I am sorry to say. It is his one fault. Most of us have two or three.” “Don't you think it would be a pity if he were to refuse to go with us tomorrow--were to prefer to stay here and gamble?” “No fear of that: he has given me his word of honor.” “Still, I think it would be hardly safe to tempt him. If you go and tell him that friend of his won such a lot of money, he will want to stop; and if he does not stop, he will go away miserable. You know they began betting with his money, though they went on with their own.” “Oh, did they? What was his own money?” “How much was it, Zoe?” “Fifty pounds.” “Well,” said Vizard, “you must admit it is hard he should lose his own money. And yet I own I am most anxious to get him away from this place. Indeed, I have a project; I want him to rusticate a few months at our place, while I set my lawyer to look into his affairs and see if his estate cannot be cleared. I'll be bound the farms are underlet. What does the Admirable Crichton know about such trifles?” Fanny looked at Zoe, whose color was rising high at all this. “Well!” said she, “when you gentlemen fall in love _with each other,_ you certainly are faithful creatures.” “Because we can count on fidelity in return,” said Vizard. He thought a little, and said, “Well, as to the other thing--you leave it to me. Let us understand one another. Nothing we saw at the gambling-table is to be mentioned by us.” “No.” “Crichton is to be taken to England for his good.” “Yes.” “And I am to be grateful to you for your co-operation in this.” “You can, if you like.” “And you will secure an agreeable companion for the rest of the tour, eh?--my diplomatic cousin and my silent sister.” “Yes; but it is too bad of you to see through a poor girl, and her little game, like that. I own he is a charming companion.” Fanny's cunning eyes twinkled, and Zoe blushed crimson to see her noble brother manipulated by this artful minx and then flattered for his perspicacity. From that moment a revulsion took place in her mind, and pride fought furiously with love--for a time. This was soon made apparent to Fanny Dover. When they retired, Zoe looked very gloomy; so Fanny asked, rather sharply, “Well, what is the matter now? Didn't I do it cleverly?” “Yes, yes, too cleverly. Oh, Fanny, I begin to revolt against myself.” “This is nice!” said Fanny. “Go on, dear. It is just what I ought to have expected. You were there. You had only to interfere. You didn't. And now you are discontented.” “Not with you. Spare me. You are not to blame, and I am very unhappy. I am losing my self-respect. Oh, if this goes on, I shall hate him!”