Poor dear Mrs.Trevelyan was foolish, obstinate, and self-reliant;--but as innocent as the babe unborn.

That things would come right before long no one who knew the affair,--and she knew it from beginning to end,--could for a moment doubt.

The real victim would be that sweetest of all girls, Nora Rowley.

Mr.Glascock innocently asked why Nora Rowley should be a victim.

"Don't you understand, Mr.Glascock, how the most remote connection with a thing of that kind tarnishes a young woman's standing in the world ?" Mr.Glascock was almost angry with the well-pleased Countess as he declared that he could not see that Miss Rowley's standing was at all tarnished; and old Lady Milborough, when he got up and left her, felt that she had done a good morning's work.