"Perhaps that was not the only favour Miss Fitzgerald looked for, and the Lieutenant's hands——"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, taking five chests for her to London."
"Oh," said the Secretary, much relieved, "I know all about that. I quite assure you it has nothing to do with Miss Fitzgerald."
"But I heard her asking Kingsland to take them up for her this afternoon, and to put them in his bank."
"Look here, Kent-Lauriston, your dislike for poor Belle must have got the better of your common sense. You certainly misinterpreted what she said. Those chests belong to Mr. Riddle."
Kent-Lauriston changed the subject.
"What is Colonel Darcy here for?"
"He says, to watch his wife."
"What is she here for?"