"Pray let me state my case before judging me," pleaded her Ladyship, ready to sink through the floor with mortification. "Proceed, Lady Isabelle," said her tormentor. "Mr. Stanley told me of his interview with my mother, who, I knew, was very anxious to make a match between us. This morning I discovered that she intended to go to early service. You know what that would have involved." Miss Fitzgerald nodded. "I tried every means to deter her, but in vain. Then, as a last resort--I admit it was very wrong to do so--I asked Mr. Stanley to intercept my mother on her way to the church, and make her a proposal for my hand, as I knew this was the only way to detain her, telling him that I was about to be married, and that I would tell her the truth to-day." Miss Fitzgerald drew a sharp breath. "Then he knows that you're a married woman?" "He knew that I was to be, before the ceremony." The Irish girl gave a contented little sigh, and murmured to herself--"So he did know after all." Then waking up to the immediate present, she continued, with exaggerated courtesy:-- "Your Ladyship has not, I think, finished your story. You promised Mr. Stanley that you would tell your mother the truth--but you have not done so." "No, I have not, and for the following reasons. My husband, as you know, received a telegram apprising him of the fact that a relative, who was dying, intended leaving him a large fortune, and required his immediate presence. He forbade me to speak till he came back, and insisted that I must hold out the prospect of my engagement with Mr. Stanley as a bait to keep my mother here till he could return to me. She, however, pressed me for an answer, and on my refusing to commit myself either way, took matters into her own hands, as we have seen. I assure you entirely without the knowledge of Mr. Stanley or myself." "I see. You feel it necessary to continue this bogus engagement, for the present." "I'm between two fires, Miss Fitzgerald: obedience to my husband's commands, and the reparation I owe to you." "What does Jimsy say?" "Mr. Stanley has, of course, behaved like a gentleman, and left the matter for me to decide. I'm in a most dreadful position, either way I must wrong some one." "I'll spare your conscience, Lady Isabelle. I shan't require you to break your engagement with the Secretary." "But you'll forgive him, will you not? It was not his fault, really." "You seem to forget that I've not accepted him as yet." "But you'll not let this prejudice your ultimate decision. Promise me that?" "Yes, I'll promise--for I don't think there's anything proved against him in this matter, except that he's weak, and I did not need you to tell me that." "He's a very large heart, Miss Fitzgerald." "He has," assented that lady. "Of which I've had ample evidence in the last few days." "You've been so gracious to me in this matter," continued Lady Isabelle, "that unsuitable as the occasion is, I'm going to venture to ask you a favour.