"You are a good fellow," returned the young baronet, easily touched by good advice. "I should like to see you happier, Adrian." "I shall live my life," said Lord Chandon--and his voice was full of pathos--"do my duty, and die like a Christian, I hope; but my earthly happiness died when I lost my love." "That was a sad affair," remarked Sir Aubrey. "Yes; we will not discuss it. I only mention it to warn you as to admitting the love of any woman into your heart, for you can never drive it away again." That day, after the gentlemen had entered the drawing-room, Sir Aubrey went up to Lady Dartelle. She was both proud and fond of her handsome son, who as a rule could do pretty much as he liked with her. "Mother," he said, "why does not little Clara come down sometimes?" "She can come, my dear Aubrey, whenever you wish," was the smiling reply. "And her governess--what has she done that she is never asked to play and sing?" At the mention of the word "governess" Lady Dartelle became suspicious. "He has seen her," she thought, "and has found out how pretty she is." "One of our arrangements," she said aloud, "was that Clara's governess was not to be asked into the drawing-room when we had visitors." "Why not?" inquired the baronet, carelessly. "My dear boy, it would not be prudent; and it would displease your sisters very much, and perhaps interfere with their plans and wishes." "Being a very pretty--nay, a most lovely girl, she is to be punished for her beauty, then, by being shut out of all society?" "How do you know she is beautiful?" asked Lady Dartelle. "Do not speak too loudly, my dear; your sisters may hear you." "I saw her the other morning on the shore, and I tell you honestly, mother, I think her the most beautiful girl I have ever seen; and she is as good as she is beautiful." "How do you know that?" asked Lady Dartelle a little anxiously. "Because she told me quite frankly that you did not wish her to be in the way of visitors, and because she has kept out of my way ever since." "She is a prudent girl," said Lady Dartelle. "Aubrey, my dear, I know how weak young men are in the matter of beauty. Do not try to get up a flirtation with her. Your sisters do not like her very much; and if there should be anything of what I have mentioned, I shall be obliged to send her away at once. Your own good sense will tell you that." "My sisters are--what are they?" returned Sir Aubrey, indignantly; "all women are jealous of each other, I suppose." "Aubrey," said Lady Dartelle, thinking it advisable to change the subject of conversation, "tell me whether you think either Veronica or Mildred has any chance of succeeding with Lord Chandon?" "Not the least in the world, I should say," he replied, "I fancied when he came down that he would take a little consolation; now I know there is not the least chance." "Why not?" inquired his mother.