"You mustn't be too hard on mamma."
"Under the circumstances you could hardly expect me to be lenient; I think we'd better agree to change the subject."
She bowed silently.
"There's one thing, however, that you can do to help me," he continued.
Lady Isabelle shivered as she saw the approach of the dreaded request, and asked:
"What is that?"
"You can go to Miss Fitzgerald and tell her the truth. No statement of mine, unsupported by you, would have any credence in her ears after what has passed. You're the only person whose word can right me in her estimation."
"Mr. Stanley," she replied slowly, and with evident exertion, "I cannot tell you the pain, the chagrin, which it gives me to refuse your request."
"You won't do it!" he cried, utterly amazed.
"I can't do it."