“There is only one difficulty in the matter,” resumed he; “and as it is a difficulty almost entirely created by yourself, you will naturally be the more ready to rectify it.” He waited long enough to provoke a question from her, but she seemed to have no curiosity on the subject, and did not speak. “I mean,” added he, more boldly, “that before accepting my sister's hospitality, you must necessarily make some _amende_ for the manner in which you have just treated her.” “In which _I_ treated _her!_” said Lizzy, after him, her utterance being slow and totally passionless. “Yes, these were my words,” said he. “Have you forgotten how _she_ treated _me?_” asked Lizzy, in the same calm tone. “As to that,” said he, with a sort of fidgety confusion,--“as to that, you ought to bear in mind who she is--what she is--and then it's Georgy's way; even among her equals--those well born as herself--she has always been permitted to exercise a certain sort of sway; in fact, the world of fashion has decreed her a sort of eminence. You cannot understand these things yet, though you may do so, one day or other. In a word, _she_ can do what _you_ cannot, and must not, and the sooner you know it the better.” “And what is it you propose that I should do?” asked she, with seeming innocence. “Write her a note,--brief if you like, but very civil,--full of excuses for anything that may have given her offence; say all about your ignorance of life, newness to the world, and so on; declare your readiness to accept any suggestions she will kindly give you for future conduct,--for she knows society like a book,--and conclude by assuring her--Well!” cried he, suddenly, for she had started from him so abruptly that he forgot his dictation. “Go on,--go on,” said she, resuming her calm tone. “You 've put me out,” cried he; “I can't remember where I was. Stay--I was saying--What was it? it was something like--” “Something like 'I 'll not do it any more,'” said Lizzy, with a low laugh; while, at the same instant, she opened her writing-desk and sat down to write. Now, although Beecher would have preferred seeing her accept this lesson with more show of humility, he was, on the whole, well satisfied with her submission. He watched her as her pen moved across the paper, and saw that she wrote in a way that indicated calm composure and not passion. The note was quickly finished; and as she was folding it, she stopped, and said, “But perhaps you might like to read it?” “Of course I 'd like to read it,” said he, eagerly, taking it op and reading aloud:-- “'The Viscountess Lackington having received Lord Lackington's orders to apologize to Georgina, Viscountess Lackington, for certain expressions which may have offended her, willingly accepts the task as one likely to indicate to her Ladyship the propriety of excusing her own conduct to one who had come to claim her kindness and protection.'