Lady Lackington's face, as she withdrew her handkerchief, was of ashy paleness, and her bloodless lips trembled with emotion. “Have you heard what this man has said, Grace?” whispered she, in a voice so distinct as to be audible throughout the room. “Yes, dearest; it is most distressing,” said the other, in the softest of accents. “Distressing! It is an infamy!” cried she. Then suddenly turning to Spicer, with flaring eyes and flushed face, she said, “You have rather a talent for blundering, sir, and it is just as likely this is but a specimen of your powers. I am certain she is not his wife.” “I can only say, my Lady, that I took pains enough to get the story accurately; and as Kuffner, the courier, was at the marriage--” “Marriage!” broke she in, with a sarcastic irony; “why, sir, it is not thus a peer of England selects the person who is to share his dignity.” “But you forget, my Lady,” interposed Spicer, “that he did n't know he was a peer--he had not the slightest expectation of being one--at the time. Old Grog knew it--” “Have a care, sir, and do not _you_ forget yourself. These familiar epithets are for your associates in the ring, and not for _my_ ears.” “Well, the Captain, my Lady,--he is as well known by that name as the other,--he had all the information, and kept back the letters, and managed the whole business so cleverly that the first Mr. Beeeher ever knew of his. Lordship's death was when hearing it from Mr. Twining at Baden.” “I thought Mr. Twining was in Algiers, or Australia, I forget which,” said Lady Grace, gently. “Such a marriage must be a mockery,--a mere mockery. He shall break it,--he must break it!” said Lady Lacking-ton, as she walked up and down with the long strides and the step of a tigress in a cage. “Oh dear! they are so difficult to break!” sighed Lady-Grace. “Mr. Twining always promised me a divorce when the law came in and made it so cheap, and now he says that it's all a mistake, and until another Bill, or an Act, or something or other, is passed, that it's a luxury far above persons of moderate fortune.” “Break it he shall,” muttered Lady Lackington, as she continued her march. “Of course, dearest, expense doesn't signify to _you_,” sighed out Lady Grace. “And do you mean to tell me, sir,” said Lady Lacking-ton, “that this is the notorious Captain Davis of whose doings we have been reading in every newspaper?” “Yes, my Lady, he is the notorious”--he was going to say “Grog,” but corrected himself, and added--“Captain Davis, and has been for years back the intimate associate of the present Lord Lackington.” Mr. Spicer was really enjoying himself on this occasion, nor was it often his fortune to give her Ladyship so much annoyance innocuously. His self-indulgence, however, carried him too far; for Lady Lackington, suddenly turning round, caught the expression of gratified malice on his face.