want nothing of that kind. No one can hurt me much further now. My money
and my rank are safe; and, perhaps, by degrees, acquaintances, if not
friends, will form themselves round me again. At present, of course, I
see no one; but because I see no one, I wanted some one to whom I could
speak. Poor Hermy is worse than no one. Good-by, Harry; you look
surprised and bewildered now, but you will soon get over that. Don't be
long before I see you again." Then, feeling that he was bidden to go, he
wished her good-by, and went.




Chapter VIII

The House in Onslow Crescent



Harry, as he walked away from the house in Bolton street, hardly knew
whether he was on his heels or his head. Burton had told him not to
dress--"We don't give dress dinner parties, you know. It's all in the
family way with us"--and Harry, therefore, went direct from Bolton
street to Onslow Crescent. But, though he managed to keep the proper
course down Piccadilly, he was in such confusion of mind that he hardly
knew whither he was going. It seemed as though a new form of life had
been opened to him, and that it had been opened in such a way as almost
necessarily to engulf him. It was not only that Lady Ongar's history was
so terrible, and her life so strange, but that he himself was called
upon to form a part of that history, and to join himself in some sort
with that life. This countess, with her wealth, her rank, her beauty,