been unable to decide what she had better say or do in the present
emergency.




CHAPTER VIII

THE CONQUERING HERO COMES


The reader will perhaps remember that when Lizzie Eustace was told that
her aunt was down-stairs Frank Greystock was with her, and that he
promised to return on the following day to hear the result of the
interview. Had Lady Linlithgow not come at that very moment Frank would
probably have asked his rich cousin to be his wife. She had told him that
she was solitary and unhappy; and after that what else could he have done
but ask her to be his wife? The old countess, however, arrived and
interrupted him. He went away abruptly, promising to come on the morrow;
but on the morrow he never came. It was a Friday, and Lizzie remained at
home for him the whole morning. When four o'clock was passed she knew that
he would be at the House. But still she did not stir. And she contrived
that Miss Macnulty should be absent the entire day. Miss Macnulty was even
made to go to the play by herself in the evening. But her absence was of
no service. Frank Greystock came not; and at eleven at night Lizzie swore
to herself that should he ever come again, he should come in vain.
Nevertheless, through the whole of Saturday she expected him with more or
less of confidence, and on the Sunday morning she was still well inclined
toward him. It might be that he would come on that day. She could
understand that a man with his hands so full of business as were those of