cousin; a young man, from your position, not fit to be my confidant? Why
am I telling this to you, Harry?"

"Because we are old friends," said he, wondering again at this moment
whether she knew of his engagement with Florence Burton.

"Yes, we are old friends, and we have always liked each other; but you
must know that, as the world judges, I am wrong to tell all this to you.
I should be wrong, only that the world has cast me out, so that I am no
longer bound to regard it. I am Lady Ongar, and I have my share of that
man's money. They have given me up Ongar Park, having satisfied
themselves that it is mine by right, and must be mine by law. But he has
robbed me of every friend I had in the world, and yet you tell me he has
not injured me!"

"Not every friend."

"No, Harry, I will not forget you, though I spoke so slightingly of you
just now. But your vanity need not be hurt. It is only the world--Mrs.
Grundy, you know, that would deny me such friendship as yours; not my
own taste or choice. Mrs. Grundy always denies us exactly those things
which we ourselves like best. You are clever enough to understand that."

He smiled and looked foolish, and declared that he only offered his
assistance because perhaps it might be convenient at the present moment.
What could he do for her? How could he show his friendship for her now
at once?

"You have done it, Harry, in listening to me and giving me your
sympathy. It is seldom that we want any great thing from our friends. I