"Ay; you have seen her at East Lynne, in her mother's lifetime. But,
to return to business. If you become the purchaser of the East Lynne
estate, Mr. Carlyle, it must be under the rose. The money that it
brings, after paying off the mortgage, I must have, as I tell you, for
my private use; and you know I should not be able to touch a farthing of
it if the confounded public got an inkling of the transfer. In the eyes
of the world, the proprietor of East Lynne must be Lord Mount Severn--at
least for some little time afterwards. Perhaps you will not object to
that."

Mr. Carlyle considered before replying; and then the conversation was
resumed, when it was decided that he should see Warburton and Ware the
first thing in the morning, and confer with them. It was growing late
when he rose to leave.

"Stay and dine with me," said the earl.

Mr. Carlyle hesitated, and looked down at his dress--a plain,
gentlemanly, morning attire, but certainly not a dinner costume for a
peer's table.

"Oh, that's nothing," said the earl; "we shall be quite alone, except my
daughter. Mrs. Vane, of Castle Marling, is staying with us. She came
up to present my child at the last drawing-room, but I think I heard
something about her dining out to-day. If not, we will have it by
ourselves here. Oblige me by touching the bell, Mr. Carlyle."

The servant entered.

"Inquire whether Mrs. Vane dines at home," said the earl.