"My heart came into my mouth with a great leap; but I controlled my excitement and replied:
"'My lord, I reported to you the fact of the purchase some time since, and the payment of $5,000 to an aunt of Estella.'
"'True,' he said, 'I remember it now; but I was much occupied at the time. How comes it, however, that she has been in the house and I have never seen her?'
"I determined not to betray Frederika, and so I replied:
"'It must have been by accident, your lordship; and, moreover, Estella is of a very quiet, retiring disposition, and has kept her room a great part of the time since she came here.'
"'Go to her and bring her here,' he said.
"There was no help for it; so I proceeded to Estella's room.
"'Miss Washington,' I said, 'I have bad news for you. The Prince desires to see you!'
"She rose up, very pale.
'''My God,' she said, 'what shall I do?'