"There must have been some indiscretion on her part," continued the other, even charitable as she was, "for they were separated some time before her unhappy death. I heard,"--here she lowered her voice--"that Randolph had flirted with her, and this excited Mr. Tremenhere's jealousy, and that subsequently he discovered a decided intrigue elsewhere, and shot, or dangerously wounded the lover. I admired him for it; for, though it may be wrong, 'tis more natural than a cold-blooded divorce and damages: it always seems to me like making a fortune of one's own dishonour!" "I doubt whether Lord Randolph really were guilty of seeking the lady's dishonour," answered Lady Dora; though she _thought_ it herself, she would not admit any thing to another, so galling to her vanity. "'My lord, beware of jealousy!'" quoted Lady Lysson laughing. "Don't be alarmed; a reformed rake makes the best husband, they say." "I should be sorry to try one," was the dry rejoinder. "The reformation is too often skin deep, and they always make suspicious husbands, severe fathers--look around at all our neighbours!" "But I defend Randolph from the charge of being one; he is a black swan," said his aunt. "Oh, that example of a _rara avis_ is no longer orthodox!" cried the other smiling. "We have many specimens of them, and, to my thinking, they are over fond of seeking crumbs of comfort at the hands of the fair sex, if we take for example those on the Serpentine, to make perfect, and exclusively loving mates." "Come, I will not have a word against my Randolph, even _sous entendu_, in epigrams. I have set my heart on his subduing yours, and giving me a right to call you my dear niece." "I thank you for the cordial wish, dear Lady Lysson; we shall see--_à propos_, I have promised Mr. Tremenhere a, sitting for _Le Diane_ to-morrow, will you accompany me?--or mamma?" "Oh, I will, gladly! I delight in that man's society; and he is so very reserved towards women, so totally devoid of love-making, except _par badinage_--that one feels quite comfortable in cultivating the acquaintance--I speak as relates to you young marrying girls." "Stop, stop Lady Lysson! you are too fascinating, too young at heart, to exclude yourself from love's attacks yet." "My dear girl, I have played 'cat's cradle' once too often, ever to attempt it again. I could not unravel the very simplest;" she looked down and thought of "poor Lysson," as she ever termed him. Lady Dora looked down too, and began to think _she_ had played rather too earnestly _once_ at "cat's cradle," and would not resume it again. CHAPTER XIII.