“Not what you suppose,” said he steadily, yet colouring deeply. “The fact is, that Beltravers and I were school-fellows; a generous little fellow he was as ever was born; he got me out of a sad scrape once at his own expense, and I can never forget it. We had never met since we left Eton, till about three weeks ago in town, when I found him in great difficulties, persecuted too, by a party--I could not turn my back on him--I would rather be shot!” “No immediate necessity for being shot, my dear Granville, I hope,” said Lady Davenant. “But if this be indeed _all_, I will never say another word against your Lord Beltravers; I will leave it to you to find out his character, or to time to show it. I shall be quite satisfied that you throw away your money, if it be only money that is in the question; be this Lord Beltravers what he may. Let him say, ‘or let them do, it is all one to me,’ provided that he does not marry you to his sister.” “He has not a thought of it,” cried Beauclerc; “and if he had, do you conceive, Lady Davenant, that any man on earth could dispose of me in marriage, at his pleasure?” “I hope not,” said Lady Davenant. “Be assured not; my own will, my own heart alone, must decide that matter.” “The horses are at the door!” cried Cecilia, as she entered; but “where’s Helen?” Helen had made her escape out of the room when Lady Davenant had pronounced the words, “Set my mind at rest, Granville,” as she felt it must then be embarrassing to him to speak, and to herself to hear. Her retreat, had not, however, been effected with considerable loss, she had been compelled to leave a large piece of the crape-trimming of her gown under the foot of Lady Davenant’s inexorable chair. “Here is something that belongs to Miss Stanley, if I mistake not,” said the general, who first spied the fragment. The aid-de-camp stooped for it--Lady Cecilia pitied it--Lady Davenant pronounced it to be Helen’s own fault--Beauclerc understood how it happened, and said nothing. “But, Helen,” cried Lady Cecilia, as she re-appeared,--“but, Helen, are you not coming with us?” Helen had intended to have gone in the pony-carriage with Lady Davenant, but her ladyship now declared that she had business to do at home; it was settled therefore that Helen was to be of the riding party, and that party consisted of Lady Cecilia and the general, Beauclerc and herself. CHAPTER X.