Since that the Earl had declined to interest himself in his son's matrimonial affairs; and when Lady Laura had once again mentioned the matter, declaring her belief that it would be the means of saving her brother Oswald, the Earl had desired her to be silent.
"Would you wish to destroy the poor child ?" he had said.

Nevertheless Lady Laura felt sure that if she were to go to her father with a positive statement that Oswald and Violet were engaged, he would relent and would accept Violet as his daughter.

As for the payment of Lord Chiltern's present debts;--she had a little scheme of her own about that.
Miss Effingham, who had been already two days in Portman Square, had not as yet seen Lord Chiltern.

She knew that he lived in the house, that is, that he slept there, and probably eat his breakfast in some apartment of his own;--but she knew also that the habits of the house would not by any means make it necessary that they should meet.

Laura and her brother probably saw each other daily,--but they never went into society together, and did not know the same sets of people.
When she had announced to Lady Baldock her intention of spending the first fortnight of her London season with her friend Lady Laura, Lady Baldock had as a matter of course--"jumped upon her," as Miss Effingham would herself call it.
"You are going to the house of the worst reprobate in all England," said Lady Baldock.
"What;--dear old Lord Brentford, whom papa loved so well!" "I mean Lord Chiltern, who, only last year,--murdered a man!" "That is not true, aunt." "There is worse than that,--much worse.