"Well, I give you leave; tell me one, to begin with," persisted Lady Jane Lennox. Beatrix laughed. "I wish, Lady Jane, if you insist on my telling your faults, that you would not look so stern." "Stern--do I?" said Lady Jane; "I did not intend; it was not with you, but myself, that I was angry; not angry either, for my faults have been caused by other people, and to say truth, I don't very much wish to mend them." "No, Lady Jane," said Beatrix, merrily. "I won't say in cold blood anything disagreeable. I don't say, mind, that I really could tell you any one fault you may fancy you have--but I won't try." "Well, let us walk round this oval; I'll tell you what you think. You think I am capricious--and so I may appear--but I am not; on the contrary, my likings or aversions are always on good grounds, and last very long. I don't say people always know the grounds, but they know it is not whim; they know--those that have experienced either--that my love and aversion are both very steady. You think I am ill-tempered, too, but I am not--I am isolated and unhappy; but my temper is easy to get on with--and I don't know why I am talking to you," she exclaimed, with a sudden change in her looks and tone, "as if you and I could ever by any possibility become friends. Good-bye, Beatrix; I see your grandmamma beckoning." So she was--leaning upon the arm of her maid, a wan lank figure--motioning her toward her. "Coming, grandmamma," cried Beatrix, and smiled, and turning to say a parting word to Lady Jane, she perceived that she was already moving some way off toward the house. CHAPTER XXXIV. General Lennox receives a Letter. Monsieur Varbarriere was charmed with his host this morning. Sir Jekyl spent more than an hour in pointing out and illustrating the principal objects in the panorama that spread before and beneath them as they stood with field-glasses scanning the distance, and a very agreeable showman he made. Very cheery and healthful among the breezy copse to make this sort of rural survey. As they parted in the hall, Monsieur Varbarriere spoke his eloquent appreciation of the beauties of the surrounding country; and then, having letters to despatch by the post, he took his leave, and strode up with pounding steps to his dressing-room. Long before he reached it, his smile had quite subsided, and it was with a solemn and stern countenance that he entered and nodded to his valet, whom he found awaiting him there. "Well, Jacques, any more offers? Does Sir Jekyl still wish to engage you?" "I can assure Monsieur there has not been a word since upon that affair." "_Good!_" said Monsieur Varbarriere, after a second's scrutiny of the valet's dark, smirking visage. The elderly gentleman unlocked his desk, and taking forth a large envelope, he unfolded the papers enclosed in it. "Have we anything to note to-day about that apartment verd? Did you manage the measurement of the two recesses?"