Whatever may have been Lord Castlewell's general sins among actresses and actors, his feelings hitherto in regard to Miss O'Mahony had not done him discredit. He had already heard her name frequently when he had seen her in her little carriage before the steps of Covent Garden Theatre, and had heard her sing at "The Embankment." Her voice and tone and feeling had enchanted him as he had wont to be enchanted by new singers of high quality, and he had been greatly struck by the brightness of her beauty. When M. Le Gros had told him of her little wants, he had perceived at once her innocence, and had determined to relieve her wants. Then, when she had told him of her father, and had explained to him the kind of terms on which they lived together, he was sure that she was pure as snow. But she was very lovely, and he could not undertake to answer for what feelings might spring up in her bosom. Now he had received this letter, and every word of it spoke to him in her favour. He took, therefore, a little trouble, and calling upon her the next morning at her lodgings, found her seated with Mr. O'Mahony. "Father," she said, when the lord was ushered into the room, "this is Lord Castlewell. Lord Castlewell, this is my father." Then she sat down, leaving the two to begin the conversation as they might best please. She had told her father nothing about the money, simply explaining that on the steps of the theatre she had met the lord, who was one of its proprietors. "Lord Castlewell," said Mr. O'Mahony, "I am very proud," then he bowed. "I know very little about stage affairs, but I am confident that my daughter will do her duty to the best of her ability." "Not more so than I am," said Lord Castlewell, upon which Mr. O'Mahony bowed again. "You have heard about this little _contretemps_ about the money." "Not a word," said Mr. O'Mahony, shaking his head. "Nor of the terrible character which has been given you by your daughter?" "That I can well understand," said Mr. O'Mahony. "She says that you wish to abolish all the English aristocracy." "Most of them," said Mr. O'Mahony. "Peradventure ten shall be found honest, and I will not destroy them for ten's sake; but I doubt whether there be one." "I should be grieved to think that you were the judge." "And so should I," said Mr. O'Mahony. "It is so easy to utter curses when no power accompanies the utterances. The Lord must have found it uncomfortable in regard to Sodom. I can spit out all my fury against English vices and British greed without suffering one pang at my heart. What is this that you were saying about Rachel and her money?" "She is in a little trouble about cash at the present moment." "Not a doubt about it." "And I have offered to lend her a trifle--L200 or so, just till she can work it off up at the theatre there." "Then there is one of the ten at any rate," said Mr. O'Mahony. "Meaning me?" asked the lord.