"He goes direct to Portray Castle?"
"Neither directly nor indirectly. Just at present, Lord Fawn, I am in no mood to entertain guests,—not even one that I love so well as my cousin Frank. The Portray mountains are somewhat extensive, and at the back of them there is a little shooting-lodge."
"Oh, indeed," said Lord Fawn, feeling that he had better dash at once at the diamonds.
"If you, my lord, could manage to join us for a day, my cousin and his friend would, I am sure, come over to the castle, so that you should not suffer from being left alone with me and Miss Macnulty."
"At present it is impossible," said Lord Fawn;—and then he paused. "Lady Eustace, the position in which you and I stand to each other is one not altogether free from trouble."
"You cannot say that it is of my making," she said, with a smile. "You once asked—what men think a favour from me; and I granted it,—perhaps too easily."
"I know how greatly I am indebted to your goodness, Lady Eustace—" And then again he paused.
"Lord Fawn!"
"I trust you will believe that nothing can be further from me than that you should be harassed by any conduct of mine."
"I am harassed, my lord."