"You mean he may try to marry my heiress?"
"Yes, Sir Lemuel."
"He has my full consent to do so."
"Sir Lemuel!"
"Listen, my good lady, I have a secret to tell you. That gentleman whom we have known as Mr. John Scott only, is really Archibald-Alexander-John Scott, Marquis of Hereward."
A woman of the world is hardly ever "taken aback." Lady Belgrade gave no exclamation. But she caught her breath and stared at the speaker.
"It is as I have told you. He is the Marquis of Arondelle. He is going to marry my daughter. He will get back Lone through her. And she will be Marchioness of Arondelle, and in due time Duchess of Hereward."
"You—don't—say—so!" breathed her ladyship, slowly.
"And now, you know how to manage it. You must aid the young couple as much as you can by giving them as much as possible of each other's society."
"Yes, I see," said her ladyship. "And now—don't look toward them again."