Although I am able to record this speech word for word, I am quite unable to account for the curious psychological fact, that it has become engraven on my memory, while, at the time, I was unconscious of listening to it. The pattern of the carpet, a particular curl of Lady Broadhem's "front," the fact that the clock struck one, are all stamped upon the plate of my internal perceptive faculties with the vividness of a photograph. The vision of happiness which I had conjured up was changing into a hideous contrast, and reminded me of the Diorama at the Colosseum in my youth, where a fairy landscape, with a pastoral group at lunch in the foreground, became gradually converted into a pandemonium of flames and devils. I felt borne along by a mighty torrent which was sweeping me from elysian fields into some fathomless abyss. Love and friendship both coming down together in one mighty crash, and the only thing left standing--Lady Broadhem--right in front of me--a very stern reality indeed. I don't the least know the length of time which elapsed between the end of her speech and when I returned to consciousness--probably not many seconds, though it seemed an age. I gasped for breath, so she kindly came to my relief. "My dear Lord Frank," she said, "after all it might have been worse. Supposing that Lord Grandon had not been your friend, or had not had the absurd Quixotic ideas which I understand he has of the duties of friendship, he might have given you immense trouble; as it is, I am sure he has only to know the exact state of the case to retire. I know him quite well enough for that. I look upon it as providential. Had it been Mr Chundango, Grandon would most probably have persevered. Now he is quite capable of doing all he can to help you with Ursula." I groaned in spirit. How well had Lady Broadhem judged the character of the man to whom she would not give her daughter! "I am so glad to think, Lady Broadhem," said I, with a bitter laugh, "that you do not suspect me of such a ridiculous exaggeration of sentiment. So far from it, it seems to impart a peculiar piquancy to the pursuit when success is only possible at the sacrifice of another's happiness; and when that other is one's oldest friend, there is a refinement of emotion, a sort of pleasurable pain, which is quite irresistible. To what element in our nature do you attribute this?" "To original sin, I am afraid," said Lady Broadhem, looking down, for my manner seemed to puzzle, and make her nervous. "Oh, it is not at all 'original,'" said I. "Whatever other merit it possesses, it can't claim originality--it is the commonest thing in the world; but I think it is an acquired taste at first--it grows upon you like caviar or olives. I remember some years ago, in Australia, running away with the wife of a charming fellow----" "Oh, Lord Frank, Lord Frank, please stop! Have you repented? and where is she?"