to say, Aunt Helena?"

"Well, my dear--"

"Victor was to see you yesterday. Did he tell you this? No need to
distress yourself--I see he did. And so I am to be turned from
Catheron Royals for the soap-boiler's daughter, if I don't stand aside
and let her reign. It is well to be warned--I shall not forget it."

Lady Helena was at a loss. What could she say? What could she do?
Something in the set, intense face of the girl frightened
her--absolutely frightened her. She rose hurriedly to go.

"Will you come to Powyss Place on Thursday next?" she asked. "I hardly
like to press you, Inez, under the circumstances. For poor Victor's
sake I want to make the best of it. I give a dinner party, as you know;
invite all our friends, and present Lady Catheron. There is no help
for it. If I take her up, all the country will; but if _you_ had
rather not appear, Inez--"

There was a sharp, quick, warning flash from the black eyes.

"Why should I not appear? Victor may be a coward--_I_ am not. I will
go. I will face our whole visiting list, and defy them to pity me.
Take up the soap-boiler's heiress by all means, but, powerful as you
are, I doubt if even you will be able to keep her afloat. Try the
experiment--give the dinner party--I will be there."

"It's a very fine thing for a tradesman's daughter to marry a rich
baronet, no doubt," commented Lady Helena, as she was driven home;