a bad person expects to be accounted good. It is the general desire of
such a one to conquer the existing evil impression; but it is generally
presumed that the evil impression is there. "Oh, Lady Fawn!" she said, "I
will so strive to make him happy. What is it that he likes? What would he
wish me to do and to be? You know his noble nature, and I must look to you
for guidance."

Lady Fawn was embarrassed. She had now seated herself on the sofa, and
Lizzie was close to her, almost enveloped within her mantle. "My dear,"
said Lady Fawn, "if you will endeavour to do your duty by him, I am sure
he will do his by you."

"I know it. I am sure of it. And I will; I will. You will let me love you,
and call you mother?" A peculiar perfume came up from Lizzie's hair which
Lady Fawn did not like. Her own girls, perhaps, were not given to the use
of much perfumery. She shifted her seat a little, and Lizzie was compelled
to sit upright, and without support. Hitherto Lady Fawn had said very
little, and Lizzie's part was one difficult to play. She had heard of that
sermon read every Sunday evening at Fawn Court, and she believed that Lady
Fawn was peculiarly religious. "There," she said, stretching out her hand
backwards and clasping the book which lay upon the small table; "there,
that shall be my guide. That will teach me how to do my duty by my noble
husband."

Lady Fawn in some surprise took the book from Lizzie's hand, and found
that it was the Bible. "You certainly can't do better, my dear, than read
your Bible," said Lady Fawn; but there was more of censure than of eulogy
in the tone of her voice. She put the Bible down very quietly, and asked
Lady Eustace when it would suit her to come down to Fawn Court. Lady Fawn
had promised her son to give the invitation, and could not now, she