She made no reply, and her shrunken faded look--as of one with no energy for hope--again roused his pity. "Tell me," he said, bending toward her--"I don't ask from idle curiosity--but--has there been any truth in the rumor of Oliver's engagement to Miss Drake?" Lady Lucy raised her head sharply. The light came back to her eyes. "She was engaged to him, and three weeks after his accident she threw him over." Sir James made a sound of amazement. Lady Lucy went on: "She left him and me, barely a fortnight afterward, to go to a big country-house party in the north. That will show you--what she's made of. Then she wrote--a hypocritical letter--putting it on _him_. _He_ must not be agitated, nor feel her any burden upon him; so, for _his_ sake, she broke it off. Of course, they were to be cousins and friends again just as before. She had arranged it all to her own satisfaction--and was meanwhile flirting desperately, as we heard from various people in the north, with Lord Philip Darcy. Oliver showed me her letter, and at last told me the whole story. I persuaded him not to answer it. A fortnight ago, she wrote again, proposing to come back here--to 'look after' us--poor things! This time, _I_ replied. She would like Tallyn, no doubt, as a place of retreat, should other plans fail; but it will not be open to her!" It was not energy now--vindictive energy--that was lacking to the personality before him! "An odious young woman" exclaimed Sir James, lifting hands and eyebrows. "I am afraid I always thought so, saving your presence, Lady Lucy. However, she will want a retreat; for her plans--in the quarter you name--have not a chance of success." "I am delighted to hear it!" said Lady Lucy, still erect and flushed. "What do you know?" "Simply that Lord Philip is not in the least likely to marry her, having, I imagine, views in quite other quarters--so I am told. But he is the least scrupulous of men--and no doubt if, at Eastham, she threw herself into his arms--'what mother's son,' et cetera. Only, if she imagined herself to have caught him--such an old and hardened stager!--in a week--her abilities are less than I supposed." "Alicia's self-conceit was always her weak point." But as she spoke the force imparted by resentment died away. Lady Lucy sank back in her chair. "And Oliver felt it very much?" asked Sir James, after a pause, his shrewd eyes upon her. "He was wounded, of course--he has been more depressed since; but I have never believed that he was in love with her." Sir James did not pursue the subject, but the vivacity of the glance bent now on the fire, now on his companion, betrayed the marching thoughts behind. "Will Oliver see me this evening?" he inquired, presently. "I hope so. He promised me to make the effort." A servant knocked at the door. It was Oliver's valet.