"And knowing this you can still refuse to interfere in my behalf, when a word from you would set all right." "I deeply regret it, Mr. Stanley, but I must." He stood looking at her for a moment in the deepest scorn. Had he sacrificed himself for a woman like this? "Don't think too hardly of me," she pleaded; "believe me, I have reasons." "I've only this to say, Lady Isabelle," he replied coldly. "Until you absolve me from the unfortunate position in which your foolishness and weakness have placed me, my good name, my honour, and my future prospects are in your hands. Your conscience should tell you how far you have the right to trifle with them," and turning on his heel he left the conservatory. After the departure of the Secretary, Lady Isabelle lost no time in seeking out Miss Fitzgerald, who had retired to her chamber. To pursue a woman who believes that you have cruelly wronged her was a bold undertaking, but if she could not assure the Secretary that she would right him in his lady's eyes, her duty, under the circumstances, was all the more imperative to do so without delay; so summoning all her courage to her aid, she ascended to Miss Fitzgerald's chamber, and knocked timidly; so timidly, indeed, that at first she was not heard, and was compelled to knock again. "Come in," called Belle. Her Ladyship partially opened the door. "It's I," she said. "Lady Isabelle!" exclaimed Miss Fitzgerald, in unfeigned surprise, rising to receive her visitor. "You're the last person I expected to see!" "I must beg your pardon for intruding upon your privacy, but I felt I must come to you the first moment that I was able." "Really?" "I owe you an explanation, Miss Fitzgerald." Belle looked at her proudly and coldly, with the air of an insulted queen. It was not often she had the chance to triumph over a lady of title, and she enjoyed it thoroughly. "You owe me more than an explanation," she said, and indicating a chair for her guest, they both sat down. "Of course, you're aware that Mr. Stanley cannot be engaged to me," Lady Isabelle began, after some hesitation, in which Belle gave her no help, for she knew this interview was her real punishment. "I should hardly have supposed so," replied Miss Fitzgerald, and lapsed into silence. "I"--Lady Isabelle began, covered with confusion--"I--the fact is--I asked him to propose to me." "You asked him to propose to you?" "I don't wonder you are surprised; but the facts of the case are these. My mother asked Mr. Stanley his intentions last evening. Being engaged to you, he naturally had none." "Mr. Stanley is not engaged to me." "I beg your pardon, I thought----" "He has proposed to me, I admit; but I must say his conduct doesn't prejudice me in his favour." "But you mustn't allow this to injure him, Miss Fitzgerald. Really you must not." "A man who could accept a lady who had so far forgotten herself as to propose to him----"