The king took such undisguised pleasure in his new granddaughter's company, that some of the most experienced courtiers began to anticipate that she would soon gain entire influence over him.

She knew everything that was to be known about that aristocratic world into which she had been born sixty-seven years ago; and the sum-total of her knowledge was that there was one man whom she desired for her granddaughter's husbandone man, and one only, and into whose hands, when earth and sky should fade from her glazing eyes, she could be content to resign the sceptre of power.

And now, Lesbia, leave off talking and thinking like a child; look me in the face and listen to me, for I am going to speak seriously; and with me, when I am in earnest, what is said once is said for ever.' Lady Maulevrier grasped her granddaughter's arm with long slender fingers which held it as tightly as the grasp of a vice.

Lady Kirkbank receives letters from stylish girls in a hand that would disgrace a housemaid.' Lady Maulevrier allowed a post to go by before she answered this letter, while she deliberated upon the best and wisest manner of arranging her granddaughter's future.

Yes, with the present fear of this Louis Asoph's revelations, of a new scandal, if not a calamity, Lady Maulevrier felt that it was a good thing to have her younger granddaughter's future in some measure secured.

For a little while after Hammond left her she remained lost in a reverie, deeply affected by the speech and manner of her granddaughter's lover, as he gave her that first kiss of duty and affection, the affection of one who in that act declared the allegiance of a close and holy bond.

Her own feeling towards the man of her granddaughter's choice was one of instinctive affection.

It was her indulgence, her weak preference which had fostered her granddaughter's selfishness, trained her to vanity and worldly pride.

Much better that she should look to her granddaughter's husband for advice in all business matters than to a servant.

You his granddaughter's husband.

For she had gone her selfish way leaving the stranger to play the loving granddaughter's part.

Meantime, Madam Conway had sought her granddaughter's chamber, where Theo in her fright had taken refuge under the bed, while Maggie feigned a deep, sound sleep.

Suddenly the old lady wheeled upon Flora with a frantic look, but was checked by the granddaughter's gleaming eyes and one inaudible, visible word: "Hush!"

On her granddaughter's brow Madame Valcour saw the murk of the storm.

"I believe they have not ventured to tell him of his granddaughter's marriage.