yet not a word of comfort from her--her who felt born to be his
comforter.

But this marriage, that cost him so much, must that be? Could she dare,
even for his sake, to stand between two such fair young lives as those of
Lionel and Sophy--confide to them what Fairthorn had declared--appeal to
their generosity? She shrunk from inflicting such intolerable sorrow.
Could it be her duty? In her inability to solve this last problem, she
bethought herself of Alban Morley; here, at least, he might give advice
--offer suggestion. She sent to his house entreating him to call. Her
messenger was some hours before he found the Colonel, and then brought
back but a few hasty lines--"impossible to call that day. The CRISIS had
come at last! The Country, the House of Vipont, the British Empire, were
trembling in the balance. The Colonel was engaged every moment for the
next twelve hours. He had the Earl of Montfort, who was intractable and
stupid beyond conception, to see and talk over; Carr Vipont was hard at
work on the materials for the new Cabinet--Alban was helping Carr Vipont.
If the House of Vipont failed England at this moment, it would not be a
CRISIS, but a CRASH! The Colonel hoped to arrange an interview with Lady
Montfort for a minute or two the next day. But perhaps she would excuse
him from a journey to Twickenham, and drive into town to see him; if not
at home, he would leave word where he was to be found."

By the beard of Jupiter Capitolinus, there are often revolutions in the
heart of woman, during which she is callous to a Crisis, and has not even
a fear for a CRASH!

The next day came George's letter to Caroline, with the gentle message
from Darrell; and when Dr. F------, whose apprehensions for the state of
her health Colonel Morley had by no means exaggerated, called in the