eyebrows will go up and down, he won't say much. I know him. If he asks
you about her, don't be a fool, but say what you think of her sensibly"--

No cork could hold in Ripton when she was alluded to. He shouted: "She's
an angel!"

Richard checked him: "Speak sensibly, I say--quietly. You can say how
gentle and good she is--my fleur-de-luce! And say, this was not her
doing. If any one's to blame, it's I. I made her marry me. Then go to
Lady Blandish, if you don't find her at the house. You may say whatever
you please to her. Give her my letter, and tell her I want to hear from
her immediately. She has seen Lucy, and I know what she thinks of her.
You will then go to Farmer Blaize. I told you Lucy happens to be his
niece--she has not lived long there. She lived with her aunt Desborough
in France while she was a child, and can hardly be called a relative to
the farmer--there's not a point of likeness between them. Poor darling!
she never knew her mother. Go to Mr. Blaize, and tell him. You will
treat him just as you would treat any other gentleman. If you are civil,
he is sure to be. And if he abuses me, for my sake and hers you will
still treat him with respect. You hear? And then write me a full
account of all that has been said and done. You will have my address the
day after to-morrow. By the way, Tom will be here this afternoon. Write
out for him where to call on you the day after to-morrow, in case you
have heard anything in the morning you think I ought to know at once, as
Tom will join me that night. Don't mention to anybody about my losing
the ring, Ripton. I wouldn't have Adrian get hold of that for a thousand
pounds. How on earth I came to lose it! How well she bore it, Rip! How
beautifully she behaved!"

Ripton again shouted: "An angel!" Throwing up the heels of his second