Lucretia, offended, might leave your house, and certainly she would regard her sister as having influenced your confession,--a position unworthy Miss Mivers.

But do not fear: if the evil be so, it carries with it its inevitable remedy.

Let Lucretia discover it herself; but, pardon me, she must have seen, at your first reception of Mainwaring, that he had before been acquainted with you ?" "She was not in the room when we first received Mainwaring; and I have always been distant to him, as you may suppose, for I felt disappointed and displeased.

Of course, however, she is aware that we knew him before she did.

What of that ?" "Why, do you think, then, he told her at Laughton of this acquaintance,--that he spoke of Susan?
I suspect not." "I cannot say, I am sure," said Mr.Fielden.
"Ask her that question accidentally; and for the rest, be discreet, my dear sir.