Not at all abashed by the rebuke, Ardworth said carelessly: "Well, I
shall talk to you again on that subject. Meanwhile, pray give my love to
her,--Helen, I mean."

Madame Dalibard half rose in her chair, then sank back again, motioning
with her hand to Ardworth to approach. Varney rose and walked to the
window, as if sensible that something was about to be said not meant for
his ear.

When Ardworth was close to her chair, Madame Dalibard grasped his hand
with a vigour that surprised him, and drawing him nearer still, whispered
as he bent down,--

"I will give Helen your love, if it is a cousin's, or, if you will, a
brother's love. Do you intend--do you feel--an other, a warmer love?
Speak, sir!" and drawing suddenly back, she gazed on his face with a
stern and menacing expression, her teeth set, and the lips firmly pressed
together.

Ardworth, though a little startled, and half angry, answered with the
low, ironical laugh not uncommon to him, "Pish! you ladies are apt to
think us men much greater fools than we are. A briefless lawyer is not
very inflammable tinder. Yes, a cousin's love,--quite enough. Poor
little Helen! time enough to put other notions into her head; and then--
she will have a sweetheart, gay and handsome like herself!"

"Ay," said Madame Dalibard, with a slight smile, "ay, I am satisfied.
Come soon."

Ardworth nodded, and hurried down the stairs. As he gained the door, he