CHAPTER IV.

MRS. ARNAUD'S DEFIANCE.

Ir was rather an unfortunate introduction between these two people, for at the sound of George Drummond's voice she grew faint, and asked him to give her his arm. He did so at once, of course, and led her into the parlour behind the shop. She sat down on the sofa, and George Drummond would possibly have asked her how she felt, but at that moment there came a thundering knock at the door.

Mrs. Arnaud started up at once, There he is,' she said: Mr. Drummond, I charge

you not to leave me alone with that man.'

'Certainly not,' said George Drummond,

but what is the man's name?'

'Lord Rhyader,' said Mrs. Arnaud. If

I am left alone with him there will be mischief.'

'Lord Rhyader!' said George Drum

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mond: why I know him very well. What makes you afraid of him ?'

No matter,' said Mrs. Arnaud, you stay with me, that is all.'

'I will stay with you, certainly,' said George Drummond, but when is your servant going to open the door?'

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My servants are all out,' said Mrs. Arnaud. Heavens, he is knocking again.'

'Let me go and open the door,' said George Drummond.

'If you are not afraid,' said Mrs. Arnaud.

'Who was ever afraid of Lord Rhyader?'

he said; and while she lit the candle, he went and opened the door, so they came in together.

He was by no means a terrible looking person, being of peaceful aspect, about fortyfive, wearing spectacles, and mutton-chop whiskers. Had you met him in the street you would have taken him for a successful barrister, a thing which he probably would have been had he not been possessed of fifty thousand a year in prospect. His first words as he came before George Drummond were, 'My dear Mary, what insanity is this?"

Gervase,' she said trembling and pale: you have brought it on yourself, and you see the results. Allow me to observe that there is a third person in the room, a stranger to me at all events, though his father was none.'

Lord Rhyader turned and saw George

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Drummond, Why Drummond!' he exclaimed with unfeigned astonishment, 'what brings you here ?'

'I might ask you the same question, with the same look of amazement, Lord Rhyader,' said George Drummond, laughing, only Mrs. Arnaud, whom I found alone in the house, told me whom I was to expect. The mystery on my part is easily solved, I am Mrs. Arnaud's lodger.'

'I did not know you had moved,' said Lord Rhyader. I am very anxious to see Mrs. Arnaud alone. Nay, Mary, I will: sooner or later we must have an explanation. Why not have it over at once?'

'You had better go, Mr. Drummond,' said Mrs. Arnaud, quietly; and he went.

Lord Rhyader sat opposite to Mrs. Arnaud silent for half a minute, until he saw

that he would have to speak first: he did

So.

This is scarcely fair, Mary.'

'I do not know what you mean, Gervase.'

'I think you do, for you have accepted my protection and that of Lady Rhyader for some years now, and acquiesced in your real position, which I confess was a very painful one.'

'I never acquiesced in my real position, I consented to a false one, for the sake of one who is lost. Now that I know the truth, I withdraw from my former situation, and prove him to be an honourable man.'

Her courage was coming back to her rapidly now. The terror of this interview and this explanation had nearly driven her mad; here it had come here she was face to face with facts, and she was not in the least degree frightened. How completely