Lady Jane glared, and the Colonel put on that singularly disagreeable expression which has come into use amongst Englishmen since they gave up swearing as a means of showing what they are thinking about. It is a particularly unpleasant look, and bodes evil when it appears. “Miss Scott will go at once, of course,” Lionel added, as they said nothing. “I only ask you not to be rude to her.” “As if one could be rude to a governess!” cried Lady Jane, stalking off with her head in the air and going out. “All that Sanskrit stuff has gone to your head, my boy,” said the Colonel, following her. Lady Jane went to her morning room and rang the bell. Her hand trembled a little. “Ask Miss Scott to come to me before going out with the young ladies,” she said to the footman. Ellen lost no time in answering the summons, and appeared dressed for walking, and wearing a plain grey felt hat, which happened to be very becoming. As soon as she entered, she saw that Lady Jane was in a rage, and guessed that it concerned her. “My son has just given me to understand that he has--er--agreed to marry you. What have you to say to this amazing statement?” Miss Scott looked much taller than usual, and held her head quite as high as Lady Jane herself; but she answered very quietly, and almost gently. “Yes,” she said, “it’s quite true. That’s all I have to say.” “And you have the assurance to tell me so to my face?” cried Lady Jane. “Oh, yes, since it’s true,” answered the young girl sweetly. “It’s not to be believed!” Lady Jane’s face was as hard as a portrait done in enamel; her eyes glittered like pale sapphires, and she began to walk up and down the room, looking straight in front of her. “I’m afraid you must believe it, unless your son changes his mind,” said Miss Scott with great gentleness. “Oh, he shall change his mind! Never fear! A governess! There are laws to prevent such things--I’m sure there are!” “And a foundling, too,” said Ellen, more sweetly than ever. “I’m sure you will think that makes it much worse,” she added, as Lady Jane stopped suddenly in her walk and glared at her. “Yes, I was left on Mr. Scott’s doorstep early one morning when I was a baby, and he adopted me and gave me his name, and called me Ellen. It’s rather dreadful, isn’t it?” “Dreadful! It’s vile, the way you have played on his feelings in secret and led him to this! But, thank Heaven, he is my son. He must have some sense, somewhere!” “He has a great deal,” said Miss Scott, unmoved. “I’m sure of it.” “If anything could make matters worse, it is your brazen assurance,” cried Lady Jane, beside herself. “There is no reason why I should put up with it another moment, and I shall expect you to leave the house in an hour. Do you understand?” “I was going to ask your leave to do so,” answered Ellen; “for the truth is, I have some very urgent business in town, and my solicitors have written begging me to come at once.”