“Unscorched she passed those fiery plow-shares. Her trial over, people judged her, in some sort, as you and I judge her. Her beautiful Christian life, the facts elicited on her trial, her subsequent self-sacrifice, all tended to draw back to her esteem and affection. All whose good opinion is worth having, love and revere her. Even the envious and malignant dare not traduce her, lest their motive become too apparent. And now I say, as I said in the beginning, there is not a woman in England more sincerely esteemed than Estelle. Sir Parke Morelle, restored in some degree to his reason, came back to find this state of feeling prevailing. It affected, it influenced, it governed him. He resolved to seek and call home his wandering child. If his resolution needed confirming, it received confirmation. Estelle’s misfortunes had moved sympathy in the highest quarters—Sir Parke, and Lady Morelle attended the first drawing-room of the season. It was unusually brilliant, and so crowded that Royalty could vouchsafe but a word or two to each passing aspirant for notice. Lady Morelle’s turn came; judge the effect when Queen Adelaide—her goodness is proverbial—inquired graciously after the health of Lady Morelle’s daughter, expressing regret at not seeing her present! This was done for a purpose, and it effected its object. Ladies of the most ancient peerages—of a nobility indubitable and redoubtable, who can do as they please, because it is impossible for them to do wrong—followed now the royal lead. The more timid, though not less well-disposed, brought up the rear. You understand this was not done all at once at the drawing-room—though thence the fiat issued—thence the impetus was given. Even the most cowardly were not afraid to venture where Royalty had gone before!” “But Sir Parke! Lady Morelle! what reply could _they_ make, good Heaven! when asked for their hapless daughter? Some such answer I suppose as Cain gave when asked for his brother!” “Humph! they just replied that she was in America, and they had sent out a confidential agent there to seek her. Eh bien! you comprehend that the ordeal is well past!” “Thank God!” fervently ejaculated Lord Montressor. “Amen—and long live Queen Adelaide!” replied Dazzleright. Lord Montressor looked around. “What do you want?” inquired Lord Dazzleright. “My hat.” “You are not going?” “Yes.” “Oh, no! here are some famous cigars—stop and try them.” “Cannot. I am down into Devonshire by the midnight train! Good-bye!” “But you are not going, certainly?” “Absolutely and instantaneously. I shall not even first return to my hotel, as it is now eleven o’clock, and the Western train starts at twelve. So I will tax your kindness to send one of your men to Gerard’s, to direct my people there to follow me by the next train, if you will do me the favor.” “Certainly; but you have not said to what point in the great county of Devon I shall direct the fellows.”