CHAPTER XIV.
'NOT YET.' Lady Kirkbank carried off Lesbia early next day, the girl radiant at the idea of seeing life under new conditions.

She had a few minutes' serious talk with her grandmother before she went.
'Lesbia, you are going into the world,' said Lady Maulevrier; 'yes, even a country house is the world in little.

You will have many admirers instead of one; but I think, I believe, that you will be true to me and to yourself.' 'You need not fear, grandmother.

I have been an idiot; but--but it was only a passing folly, and I shall never be so weak again.' Lesbia's scornful lips and kindling eyes gave intensity to her speech.
It was evident that she despised herself for that one touch of womanly softness which had made her as ready to fall in love with her first wooer as any peasant girl in Grasmere Vale.
'I am delighted to hear you speak thus, dearest,' said Lady Maulevrier.
'And if Mr.Hamilton--Hammond, I mean--should have the audacity to follow you to Kirkbank, and to intrude himself upon you there--perhaps to persecute you with clandestine addresses----' 'I do not believe he would do anything clandestine,' said Lesbia, drawing herself up.

'He is quite above that.' 'My dear child, we know absolutely nothing about him.