"Ah, dearest, you may believe. To my eyes you are the sweetest of all God's creatures. Perhaps you think I say so only for the money's sake." "No, my lord, I do not think that." "Of course much is due to him." "He wants nothing but that I should be his wife. He has said so, and he is never false. I can trust him at any rate, even though I should betray him. But I will not betray him. I will go away with him and they shall not hear of me, and nobody will remember that I was my father's daughter." "You are doubting even now, dear." "But I ought not to doubt. If I doubt it is because I am weak." "Then still be weak. Surely such weakness will be good when it will please all those who must be dearest to you." "It will not please him, Lord Lovel." "Will you do this, dearest;--will you take one week to consider and then write to me? You cannot refuse me that, knowing that the happiness and the honour and the welfare of every Lovel depends upon your answer." She felt that she could not refuse, and she gave him the promise. On that day week she would write to him, and tell him then to what resolve she should have brought herself. He came up close to her, meaning to kiss her if she would let him; but she stood aloof, and merely touched his hand. She would obey her betrothed,--at any rate till she should have made up her mind that she would be untrue to him. Lord Lovel could not press his wish, and left the house unmindful of Mrs. Bluestone's luncheon. CHAPTER XXIV. THE DOG IN THE MANGER.