But she had looked at Lord Hartledon, and hesitated before she spoke.
Perhaps she thought his lordship would resign the head of the table to
her, and take the foot himself. If so, she was mistaken.

"You will be more comfortable at the side, Lady Kirton," cried Lord
Hartledon, when he discovered what the bustle was about.

"Not at all, Hartledon; not at all."

"But I like my brother to face me, ma'am. It is his accustomed place."

Remonstrance was useless. The dowager nodded her pea-green turban, and
firmly seated herself. Val Elster dexterously found a seat next Lady
Maude; and a gay gleam of triumph shot out of his deep-blue eyes as he
glanced at the dowager. It was not the seat she would have wished him to
take; but to interfere again might have imperilled her own place. Maude
laughed. She did not care for Val--rather despised him in her heart; but
he was the most attractive man present, and she liked admiration.

Another link in the chain! For how many, many days and years, dating from
that evening, did that awful old woman take a seat, at intervals, at Lord
Hartledon's table, and assume it as a right!




CHAPTER V.

JEALOUSY.