"I certainly am no person to spread scandal, my lord," answered the lady, drawing herself up; "at the same time, I must say, the Mowbrays have little claim on me for forbearance. I am sure I was the first person to bring this Spa into fashion, which has been a matter of such consequence to their estate; and yet Mr. Mowbray set himself against me, my lord, in every possible sort of way, and encouraged the under-bred people about him to behave very strangely.--There was the business of building the Belvidere, which he would not permit to be done out of the stock-purse of the company, because I had given the workmen the plan and the orders--and then, about the tea-room--and the hour for beginning dancing--and about the subscription for Mr. Rymour's new Tale of Chivalry--in short, I owe no consideration to Mr. Mowbray of St. Ronan's." "But the poor young lady?" said Lord Etherington. "Oh! the poor young lady?--the poor young lady can be as saucy as a rich young lady, I promise you.--There was a business in which she used me scandalously, Lord Etherington--it was about a very trifling matter--a shawl. Nobody minds dress less than I do, my lord; I thank Heaven my thoughts turn upon very different topics--but it is in trifles that disrespect and unkindness are shown; and I have had a full share of both from Miss Clara, besides a good deal of impertinence from her brother upon the same subject." "There is but one way remains," thought the Earl, as they approached the Spa, "and that is to work on the fears of this d--d vindictive blue-stocking'd wild-cat.--Your ladyship," he said aloud, "is aware what severe damages have been awarded in late cases where something approaching to scandal has been traced to ladies of consideration--the privileges of the tea-table have been found insufficient to protect some fair critics against the consequences of too frank and liberal animadversion upon the characters of their friends. So pray, remember, that as yet we know very little on this subject." Lady Penelope loved money, and feared the law; and this hint, fortified by her acquaintance with Mowbray's love of his sister, and his irritable and revengeful disposition, brought her in a moment much nearer the temper in which Lord Etherington wished to leave her. She protested, that no one could be more tender than she of the fame of the unfortunate, even supposing their guilt was fully proved--promised caution on the subject of the pauper's declaration, and hoped Lord Etherington would join her tea-party early in the evening, as she wished to make him acquainted with one or two of her _proteges_, whom, she was sure, his lordship would find deserving of his advice and countenance. Being by this time at the door of her own apartment, her ladyship took leave of the Earl with a most gracious smile. FOOTNOTES: [II-9] Note I. [II-10] Note II. CHAPTER XIV. DISAPPOINTMENT.