"Why, what a mountain out of a mole-hill you are making, you dear foolish boy," exclaimed Lady Haredale. "It is quite true that Major Fowler and Amethyst took a turn together, and met Mr Sylvester Riddell. She gave him a little present the children have clubbed together to buy for him out of their own money, as a congratulation on his engagement. What was it, Amethyst?--a purse, I think? Then it appears that Mrs Leigh saw her with him,--where was it, Amethyst?--in the conservatory?" "No, mother, she did not," said Amethyst, who had drawn away from Lucian, and stood upright. "Oh, my dear child, she couldn't quite invent it, I think she must have seen you. And if he had kissed you--I shall always maintain that he did no harm. _Dear old Tony_!--And an engaged man! But if you say that Mrs Leigh was mistaken, of course Lucian is bound to believe you." Amethyst did not speak. "_Could_ it have been some one else--Miss Verrequers herself, or one of the little girls? Shall I call them?" "Certainly not, Lady Haredale," said Lucian; "I want no witnesses. Amethyst will explain to _me_." "Well," said Lady Haredale, still lightly, "I will leave her to do so. She can only tell you what I have told you now. But, Lucian, take care,--I cannot have her word doubted." As Lady Haredale walked away, uttering the last words with a charming air of motherly dignity, Lucian turned round and gazed into Amethyst's face. "What did my mother see?" he said, "what makes her think this? _She_ always speaks the truth." "She did not see me," said Amethyst, "with Major Fowler in the ante-room." "Then is what Lady Haredale says true?" Amethyst did not speak. "There is some mystery. There is something not square somewhere. What is your mother making you do? You were not like yourself yesterday; you had been crying when that scoundrel's engagement was announced? What does it mean?" As she was still speechless, he went on, his boyish roughness of manner ill matching the agony in his pale stern face. "I hate mysteries. It is your duty to tell me the truth. Soon you can have no secrets from me." "I cannot explain what Mrs Leigh saw," said Amethyst, but she sank slowly down on the bench as she spoke, for her limbs failed her. Then suddenly she sprang up, and threw herself into his arms, with one outburst of all her forces against the fate that was closing in upon her. "Oh, Lucian, trust me, trust me; I swear to you you may." As Lucian strained her in his arms, he felt all his convictions reeling and yielding; but the answer was as inevitable to his nature, as the appeal to hers. "Oh, my darling--my love, I do trust you. _But you ought to tell_." What Amethyst might have done in another moment, convinced as she was that she ought _not_ to tell, is doubtful, but, before she could speak. Lady Haredale returned, and with her Tory and Kattern.