he is drowned.

He went to sea by your

orders. Is Barri drowned ?'

'No, but he is an idiot.'

'He never was anything else,' said Mrs. Arnaud. 'I do not see why my son should be sacrificed, and Lady Rhyader's left in a mere state of idiocy. It is not just.'

'But you will not argue matters, Mary. You have lost your old sense. I cannot understand you. If I had been asked who was the most sensible woman in London, I should have named you. I am utterly surprised.'

I will go to bed,' said Mrs. Arnaud, wearily. I cannot stand this any longer. I will go back to a religious life. I am not fit for the world.'

And so, she left Lord Festiniog without any further recognition.

CHAPTER VIII.

LORD FESTINIOG AND CLOTILDE.

LORD FESTINIOG and Mademoiselle Clotilde being left alone together, became at once confidential.

'You are an old friend, as I see, my lord,' she said. 'I have heard much of

you.'

'Mademoiselle, if you will give me your

confidence, I will value it like a mine of

diamonds.'

'It is

yours, with all

my heart,' she said. 'She has not been a well used woman.'

'Certainly not,' said Lord Festiniog. 'My son Iltyd did not use her altogether well. For me, I behaved like a dog to her, once.'

'Your behaviour, my lord' here

she paused.

'Festiniog,' he suggested.

'I cannot pronounce that,' she said. 'I would if I could, but I can't. Say it again.'

He did so, and she made two or three attempts. They were no use, and she ended by saying that she, for the sake of argument, would call him M. Bonnechose. He agreed

'Your behaviour,' M. Bonnechose, was

to this, and she continued.

always very excellent to her.

No one can

find fault with you about it. She was married. Good. You did not know it. Good. You disputed it. That was right of you. Drummond had stolen her child. When that was proved and confessed to by Drummond, you allowed the fact. That But, were you good

was most honourable.

when you sent George Arnaud to sea with Barri? I do not think that you were.'

'But I did not know it. I did not know

that the facts were proved.'

6

Then I am misinformed,' said Made

6

moiselle Clotilde, that is all I can say.'

'Who was your informant ?'

'But, has he been making mischief between Mary and myself?'

My lord, her position is this. He has told my cousin Arnaud, and she has told me, that since you have discovered the fact that George Arnaud is next in succession, you have been trying, in every way, to get rid of him. He will now say that you have succeeded in doing so; and, what is more, Marie might believe it.'

But, is the man here, back in London,

and saying such abominable falsehoods ? '

It is perfectly certain, and what is

more, he has threatened your lordship in

my presence.'

• The

with, then?'

What does he threaten me

'He only says that you are a lost man without him. He declares that your property is dependent on him, that you do not know where certain deeds are, and that you never dare to face him.'

'But when was he here last, yesterday?' 'No, this morning. He is in a very dangerous state. If I might detain your lordship, I would ask for a little advice. We want some, I assure you.'

'I will give you all that it is in my power to give,' said Lord Festiniog, but I must ask you again, what has Drummond. been saying?'

My lord, how can I say? He has been