“What presumption!” exclaimed Lady Netherby, as the door closed behind him. “But how needlessly Lady Eleanor Darcy must have lowered herself to incur such acquaintanceship!” Lord Netherby made no reply, but gave a glance towards the still open door of the drawing-room. Her Ladyship understood it at once, and said,-- “Oh, let us release poor Richard from his bondage. Tell him to come in.” Lord Netherby walked forward; but scarcely had he entered the drawing-room, when he called out, “He 's gone!” “Gone! when?--how?” cried Lady Netherby, ringing the bell. “Did you see Lord Wall incourt when he was going, Davenport?” asked she, at once assuming her own calm deportment. “Yes, my Lady.” “I hope he took the carriage.” “No, my Lady, his Lordship went on foot.” “That will do, Davenport. I don't receive to-day.” “I must hasten after him,” said Lord Netherby, as the servant withdrew. “We have, perhaps, incurred the very hazard we hoped to obviate.” “I half feared it,” exclaimed Lady Netherby, gravely. “Lose no time, however, and bring him to dinner; say that I feel very poorly, and that his society will cheer me greatly. If he is unfit to leave the house, stay with him; but above all things let him not be left alone.” Lord Netherby hastened from the room, and his carriage was soon heard at a rapid pace proceeding down the square. Lady Netherby sat with her eyes fixed on the carpet, and her hands clasped closely, lost in thought. “Yes,” said she, half aloud, “there is a fate in it! This Lady Eleanor may have her vengeance yet!” It was about an hour after this, and while she was still revolving her own deep thoughts, that Lord Netherby re-entered the room. “Well, is he here?” asked she, impatiently. “No, he's off to Ireland; the very moment he reached the hotel he ordered four horses to his carriage, and while his servant packed some trunks he himself drove over to Lord Castlereagh's, but came back almost immediately. They must have used immense despatch, for Long told me that they would be nigh Barnet when I called.” “He 's a true Wallincourt,” said her Ladyship, bitterly. “Their family motto is 'Rash in danger,' and they have well deserved it.” CHAPTER XXXI. A LESSON FOR EAVES-DROPPING.