"I have not seen the earl since the arrangement has been made. I fancy he will like it well, since it relieves him of the burden of having her to support, and saves him from the mortification of seeing her return to the boards." "Good-night, my lord!" said Claudia abruptly, rising and retiring to her bedroom, for she felt that she could not remain another moment in Lord Vincent's presence, without confronting him with her perfect knowledge of his meditated villainy, and thus losing her only chance of defeating it. Claudia retired to bed, but, though worn out with fatigue, she could not sleep. This, then, was her coming home! She had sold her birthright, and got not even the "mess of pottage," but the cup of poison. She lay tossing about with fevered veins and throbbing temples until morning, when, at last, she sunk into a sleep of exhaustion. She awoke with a prostrating, nervous headache. She attempted to rise, but fell helplessly back upon the pillow. Then she reached forth her hand and rang the bell that hung at the side of her bed. Katie answered it. "Did Jim succeed in mailing my letter?" was her first question. "Yes, my ladyship; but he had to wait ever so long before the tide ebbed to let him cross over to the shore; but he got there all right, and in time to save the mail; but he didn't get back here until this morning." "Did anyone find out his going?" "Not a living soul, as I knows of, Miss Claudia." "Thank Heaven!" said Lady Vincent, with a deep sigh. Old Katie busied herself with bringing her mistress' stockings, soft slippers, and dressing gown to the bedside; but Claudia said: "Put them away again, Katie; I shall not rise to-day. I have one of my very bad, nervous headaches. You may bring me a cup of strong coffee." "Ah, honey, no wonder! I go bring it directly," said Katie, hurrying away with affectionate eagerness to bring the fragrant restorative. A few minutes afterwards Katie entered with the tray, followed by the housekeeper, Mrs. Murdock, who came with anxious inquiries as to Lady Vincent's health. "I have a very bad, nervous headache, which is not surprising, after all my fatigue," replied Claudia. "Nay, indeed, and it is not, me leddy; you should lie quietly in bed to-day, and to-morrow you will be well," said the dame. "Yes." "And, me leddy, Mrs. Dugald bid me give her compliments to your leddyship, and ask if she should come and sit with you." "I cannot receive Mrs. Dugald," said Claudia coldly. "Ah, then I will say your leddyship is na weel enough to receive company?" "Say what you please. I cannot receive Mrs. Dugald." Old Katie had gone into the dressing room to stir the fire, which was to warm the whole suite. Taking advantage of her absence the housekeeper sat down beside Lady Vincent's bed, and, while pouring out her coffee, stooped and nodded and whispered: "Aye! and sma' blame to your leddyship, gin ye never receive the likes of her."