of me?"

There was a mocking smile on her beautiful face; her dark eyes flashed
from one to the other of us; we felt uncomfortable. She had just hit
upon the weak point that disturbed us all, the one cloud in a clear sky.

As no one else seemed inclined to speak, I answered:

"Everything will be done for your comfort, Coralie; you may be sure of
that, for Sir Barnard's sake."

"And not for my own?" she said. "What is your idea of comfort, Sir
Edgar? Do you propose offering me a little cottage and a few pounds per
week? That would not content me."

She looked so imperial, so beautiful, that I wondered involuntarily what
would content her, she who might have anything.

"Whatever you yourself think right, Coralie, you shall have."

I saw a strong disapproval in Lady Thesiger's face, and Coralie's quick
eyes, following mine, read the same.

"Ah!" she said, hastily, "Lady Thesiger does not approve of carte
blanche to ambitious cousins."

Lady Thesiger really restrained herself; she was tempted to speak--I saw
that--but refrained.

"The best plan," said Sir John, calmly, "would be for Mademoiselle