also left the room, and Frank was alone with the widow.

"Lizzie," said he, "you must be very solitary here."

"I am solitary."

"And hardly happy."

"Anything but happy, Frank. I have things that make me very unhappy; one
thing that I will tell you if you will let me."

Frank had almost made up his mind to ask her on the spot to give him
permission to console all her sorrows when there came a clattering double
knock at the door.

"They know I shall be at home to nobody else now," said Lady Eustace.

But Frank Greystock had hardly regained his self-possession when Miss
Macnulty hurried into the room, and, with a look almost of horror,
declared that Lady Linlithgow was in the parlour.




CHAPTER VI

LADY LINLITHGOW'S MISSION


"Lady Linlithgow," said Frank Greystock, holding up both his hands.