Upon retiring to rest, Lady Avondale sent for Zerbellini, and asked him respecting Lord Glenarvon. The boy was a constant favourite and playmate of his; he carried notes and flowers, from each to the other; and artless as he was, he already felt delight in the eager interest so much mystery and secresy required.—He told Lady Avondale a thousand anecdotes of Glenarvon; but he had told them so often that they failed to please. He then showed her the presents he had received from those who formerly professed to like her. “And did you ever shew them to Lord Glenarvon?” said Lady Avondale? The thought occurring that this might have offended. “I did,” said Zerbellini, with a shrewd smile.—“And was he angry?”—“Oh, not in the least: only the more kind; and he did question me so and then the boy repeated a thousand things that he had asked, which shewed Calantha, too well, how eager he was to ascertain, from other lips than her’s, every minute detail of follies and errors she had committed. There was no need for this.” Lady Avondale felt indignant; for there was not a thought of her heart she desired to conceal from him. What she had done wrong, she herself had confessed without reserve; and to be thus cross-examined and distrusted, deeply grieved her. She thought, too, it lessened her regard; it gave her a worse opinion of Glenarvon; and this god—this idol, to whom she had bowed so low, sunk at once from the throne of glory upon which her imagination had raised him. “If I pardon this,” she cried, as she sent Zerbellini away, and hastened to bed,—“if ever I waste a tear, or sigh, or thought, on him again, may I suffer what I deserve.—But the thing is impossible.” Lady Mandeville at this time was all kindness to Lady Avondale. She was going from the castle; and, as she parted, she gave her this advice. “Never place yourself in the power of any man: love of this sort is apt to terminate in a wreck; and whoever puts most to stake will be the sufferer.” Lady Augusta also departed. CHAPTER XXII. From that day, Lady Avondale grew more calm; a degree of offended pride supported her; and she resolved, cost what it might, to continue firm. She saw, that private communications were taking place between Lady Margaret, her Father, and even her Aunt and Glenarvon. He had already contrived to interest every individual in the castle in his affairs.—Lord Avondale often spoke of him with praise; Sir Richard, though he said he was a comical personage, admired him, and the female part of the society were all eager and enthusiastic about him.