end we have seen that she was by no means scrupulous.

She was as cruel a little pagan, too, as any of her remote Druidical
ancestors, and at her various shrines of vanity, pleasure, and
excitement, delighted in offering human sacrifices. She had become
accustomed to the writhing of her victims, and soothed herself
with the belief that it did not hurt them so very much after all.
She considered no farther than that flirtation was one of the
recognized amusements of the fashionable. What the TON did was law
and gospel to her mother; and the same to Lottie, if agreeable. If
not, there was no law and no gospel for her.

She had no more scruple in making a victim of Hemstead than a Fiji
Island potentate would have in ordering a breakfast according to
his depraved and barbarous taste. And when even society-men had
succumbed to her wiles, and in abject helplessness had permitted
her to place her imperious foot upon their necks, what chance had
a warm-hearted, unsophisticated fellow, with the most chivalric
ideas of womanhood?

Quick-witted Lottie, on seeing Hemstead and hearing his table-talk,
had modified Addie Marchmont's suggestion in her own mind. She saw
that, though unsuspicious and trusting in his nature, he was too
intelligent to be imposed upon by broad farce. Therefore, a religious
mask would soon be known as such. Her aunt also would detect the
mischievous plot against her nephew and guest, and thwart it. By
appearing as a well-meaning unguided girl, who both needed and
wished an adviser, she might more safely keep this modern Samson
blindly making sport for her and the others, and at the same time
not awaken the troublesome suspicions of her aunt and uncle. In the