The Heiress of Haredale. A novel

Front matter

THE HEIHESS OE HAREDALE. "SELECT" NOVELS. Crown Svo, cloth, js. 6d. each. AT ALL BOOKSELLERS' AND BOOKSTALLS By FLORENCE MARRYAT. THE HE ART OF JANE WARNER PEERESS AND PLAYER. UNDER THE LILIES & ROSES. FACING THE FOOTLIGHTS. MV OWN CHILD. A BROKEN BLOSSOM. HER WORLD AGAINST A LIE. MY SISTER THE ACTRESS. By ANNIE THOMAS (Mrs. Pender Cudlip). KATE VALLIANT. I ALLERTON TOWERS. JENIFER. I FRIENDS AND LOVERS. By LADY CONSTANCE HOWARD. MATED WITH A CLOWN. I MOLLIE DARLING. ONLY- A VILLAGE MAIDEN. | SWEETHEART AND WIFE. By MRS. HOUSTOUN, Author of "Recommended to Mercy.' BARBARA'S WARNING. By MRS. ALEXANDER FRASER. THE MATCH OF THE SEASON. | A FATAL PASSION. A PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY. By IZA DUFFUS-HARDY. ONLY A LOVE STORY. | NOT EASILY JEALOUS. LOVE, HONOUR AND OBEY. By JEAN MIDDLEMASS. POISONED ARROWS.

By MRS. LOVETT-CAMERON. A DEAD PAST. t A^NORTH COUNTRY MAID. By DORA RUSSELL. By LADY VIOLET GRENVILLE OUT OF EDEN. 7 jyl 86 j KEITH'S WIFE. By NELLIE FORTESQJTE HARRISON. Author of **■*■ SoSiifi^my dream." FOR ONE MAN'S PLEASURE. By EDMUND LEATHES. THE ACTOR'S WIFE. a Nobel. BY LADY VIRGINIA SANDARS. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: F. V. WHITE & CO., 31, SOUTHAMPTON STEEET, STEAM), W.C. 1886. P1IINT1D BIT KELLY AND CO., GATE STREET. LINCOLN'S INN FIELD?, AND KINGSTON-ON-THAIIE.-.

Chapter I

The best intentioned, with the clearest in sight into character — being but mortal — are occasionally liable to err, especially when actuated by their feelings instead of their .sounder judgment. Mr. Daguilar did not often err on this point. His affection for Ronald caused him to clo so now. Lady Haredale had received him, after the first embarrassed moment of meeting with such unaffected kindness and pleasure that, bearing in mind her former coldness towards him, he considered her warm reception was owing, not only to her interest in Pauline, but also to delight at seeing one so closely associated with the companion of her former life. Mr. Daguilar had fully determined on acquainting Lady Mount Nugent with the floating gossip wdth which his short sojourn in Florence had made him acquainted, naturally concluding she must be in ignorance of it ; but, deceived by the vol. in. graciousness of Mina's manner, and forgetful of her haughty displeasure in days gone by of any interference in her actions, he hastily decided to address her, instead of Lady Mount Nugent, on a subject which gravely disturbed him, not only for Mina's sake, but for his friend Ronald's. The fact of having seen Lady Haredale alone in Lord Coniston's society gave him, as he thought, an opportune opening.

Deeply interested as both Mina and Mr. Daguilar were on the subject of Pauline, they had finally exhausted all that either had to say on this topic, Mina's last observation being : "Then you are still hopeful of success in your search ? :' " Most hopeful. I know she is alive, and I have a deep consciousness my prayers will one day be answered." " You have great faith," she observed, scanning his pale, thoughtful face. "It is my faith which makes me hopeful — without it hope would expire. And even should circumstances deprive me of that cheering companion, I trust faith will remain to enable me to bear such sorrowful dis appointment as a Christian should. Faith, when it is our glorious possession, dear Lady Haredale, ever remains to uphold the fainting spirit, even when all hope has fled. I have done all that lies in the power of man to trace Fraulein Berger ; I am willing to leave the result to a Higher Power."

Mina had never taken her eyes off Mr. Daguilar while he was speaking. His words were so unlike what she was accustomed to hear — so little in harmony with her own thoughts and feelings. Perhaps he guessed this, and, too well acquainted with human nature to force conversation into a serious channel where no reciprocating feeling was perceptible, he asked, in a lighter tone, if Lady Haredale had observed their mutual enemy, Mrs. Rasper, in church ? " I was too absorbed in my wish to speak to you to notice that disagreeable, lady. 1 was aware she w7as in Florence, and at our hotel. Hitherto, I rejoice to say, she has not crossed my path — when she does, I fully intend to cut her. I owe Pauline's loss to her evil tongue, I am certain." " I should not provoke Mrs. Rasper's further malice by cutting her.

Some words of hers, publicly uttered, have come to my know ledge. They would have passed unnoticed, had they not concerned you so closely." " Concerned me ! What on earth can that odious woman have to say about me ? " 42* " Nothing that is true, I am certain, Lady Haredale ; but Florence is notoriously a gossippy place. When sight-seeing is ended, the idle English here assembled have little else to occupy time, except to comment and descant on their neighbours' affairs or actions, and gossip and malicious reports, however false, frequently spread far and wide, giving pain where we would least wish it given." " I really must request you to be more explicit, Mr. Daguilar?" replied Mina, wishing to hasten an explanation she saw could no longer be avoided, and yet which she dreaded. "Dear Lady Haredale," replied Mr. Daguilar kindly, but iirmby, " my early acquaintance with you, and your father's friendship, alone authorises me to speak to you on a subject of much delicacy ; but I am sure, taking this into consideration, you will not think I have over stepped the boundary of that friendship in interesting myself in what concerns your welfare."

"Your preface is length)7, Mr. Daguilar ; I should like to arrive at your conclusions," coldly responded Mina. Quickly he observed the rebellious spirit rising he had so often noticed before, and felt assured she had some idea of what he was about to say. Remembering how, in daj's of yore, her straightforward character preferred quick accusation to softly-worded reproach, and hurt by her formal manner and words, he replied with some abruptness : " I have come to no conclusions, I only speak from hearsay, Lady Haredale. But I wish to warn you of what I am convinced neither you nor Lady Mount Nugent are aware — that your name is being coupled with that of Lord Coniston's in a way you, I am sure, would consider most undesirable." " If it is from Mrs. Rasper you have gained this information, her venomous tongue must have greater weight with you than with me, Mr. Daguilar," scornfully replied Mina, with flashing eyes and rising colour.

Mr. Daguilar quickly recognised he had been injudicious in not speaking to Lady Mount Nugent ere he addressed Mina on this delicate subject, but it was too late to draw back, and he replied quietly : " I should certainly have given no weight to Mrs. Rasper's remarks, Lady Haredale, had they not endorsed those of all the English in the hotel. This made me feel it my positive duty to warn you of such gossip. Even if you were not young and beautiful, you are unable to escape the penalties of great position — the close observation of others who may IHE HEIRESS OF HAREDALE. 6 be envious of that position, or are beneath you in social standing." " Perhaps you will have the goodness to inform me to what circumstances I am now peculiarly indebted for the close and im pertinent observation to which you allude ?

" Mina spoke with intense haughtiness. But Mr. Daguilar, impressed, by her defensive manner, with the sad conviction that she had given some cause for the gossip he had heard, and, undeterred by her rising anger, stood his ground, saying : " Lady Haredale, you cannot believe I have been actuated to interfere in what concerns you, or to give you a word of warning, except from my deep past interest in your welfare, and my friendship and affection for Ronald." " May I ask wdiat Mr. Mac-Alpine has to say in this matter ? ' she demanded fiercely. " Good Heavens ! Lady Haredale — everything ! " replied Mr. Daguilar, thrown off his guard by her assumed ignorance of the moving cause of his attack. " What would he tliink? What would he feel — a lonely exile in a foreign land — should he hear your name has been coupled with that of Lord Coniston as his affianced wife ?

" " You have said enough, Mr. Daguilar," replied Mina vehemently, her face crimson with shame and anger. " Ronald is far too noble to give the slightest heed to any evil report of me, unconfirmed by myself. Had my conduct deserved reproach, my aunt would have warned me. She alone is the censor of my actions, which in the past you were always read}*- to view in the harshest light ; and I fear I have not risen in your esteem." Mr. Daguilar felt there was some truth in Mina's last words. But he had always read her character correctly, and knew that at this moment she was thoroughly dissatisfied with herself, and wdshed to discontinue the discussion. Alarmed at his increasing con viction that there was foundation for the report he had heard, and deeply grieved by her manner, he rose, feeling there was nothing to be gained by further conversation with Lady Haredale's intractable spirit ; and trust ing the warning given, though ill-received, might when her anger cooled be of use, he said simply : " Pardon me, Lady Haredale, if I have overstepped the privileges I deemed our past acquaintance and my profession per mitted.

Your career in life must ever fill me with prayerful solicitude, increased by my affection for the man who loves you. Believing this, will vou not grant me the satisfaction of ET A RED Al E. contradicting what I have heard. Having your permission to do so, would be effectual in replacing falsehood by truth." He Icoked earnestly at her as he spoke, fearful of her answer. Disarmed by his gentleness in contrast with her own vehemence, Mina replied, with greater suavity, but still haughtily : " Mr. Daguilar, you have my fullest permission to contradict any ieport you have heard." " Thank you ! " he answered ; and after a hesitating pause added, in a kind but determined voice: "Believe me, Lady Haredale, the surest way of putting an end to every idle and false word, is for you not to be seen again alone in Lord Coniston's society, as you were this morning."

" Which was quite accidental on n*vy part." Mr. Daguilar's countenance brightened. " So I believe ; but still, I thank you for the assurance. Good bye, Lady Haredale. May I trust we part friends ? " He held out his hand, wliich she took but coldly, though with an assenting inclination of her head ; and as, much disappointed, he left the room, she exclaimed impetuously : " He is right — quite right. Oh ! how wrongly I have acted. Aunt Gwen, why did you not warn me ? " HAREDALE. 9 Neither Mr. Daguilar nor Lord Coniston appeared at luncheon. After the haughty reception accorded by Lady Haredale to his kindly-meant advice, Mr. Daguilar thought it more expedient to write than to speak to her aunt. And, more over, having undertaken the second service, he had little time to prepare for his night's journey, or to devote to Lady Mount Nugent, of whose discretion in reference to her niece he began to entertain serious doubts.

Lord Coniston, who had received very un pleasant letters that morning, both from his banker and agent, had betaken himself to the shades of the Cascine gardens, leaving Lady Mount Nugent to a solitary luncheon. He had no desire to increase his acquaintance with the meddlesome parson, as he now considered Mr. Daguilar, shrewdly suspecting he might turn out an enemy in the future. He wished also to ruminate over his future plans. He had lost most of the money made at Nice, and his state was impecunious to the last degree. In return for his imperative demand from home for funds, his banker had civilly informed his lordship he could not advance him another farthing. His agent had sent what the Marquis termed " a beggarly five hundred," coupled with the respectful EE AR ED ALE. 10 advice that his lordship should return home, settle down quietly in one of his country residences, and endeavour, by prudent economy and close attention to his affairs, to partially retrieve his finances, still possible — impossible, if delayed.

Lord Coniston laughed sardonically at this passage in his agent's letter. " I should like to see myself settling down quietly anywhere. What a Avell meaning idiot the man must be ! " he muttered, savagely administering a kick to a small dog sniffing at his wellvarnished boots. " To be alone for a week would drive me mad. But why alone?" he quickly thought, as a vision of Mina rose before him, not as she had been that morning, cold and distant, but as he remembered her on their last ride together, with the conscious blush on her cheek, and eyelids drooping beneatli his too ardent gaze. "I could -win her, I am sure," he softly said. " And, after all, if she does not really care for her Arcadian lover — if she is not encaged to him — what is there to hold me back ? Honour? No, that is no longer a barrier.

He gave her full freedom. His disappointment will be only that of a thousand others. And he is so young, he will soon recover." From this moment Lord Coniston's mind was made up, and his better angel, if he had not already THE EEEERESS OF HAREDALE. 11 deserted him, did so now. He was deter mined to make Mina his wife. He rose from his seat, put his letters in his pocket, and walked back to Florence, plunged in pleasant speculations respecting a future in which his own reformation found no part — his emanci pation from debt and worry a very consider able share. So lowering an influence has monetary troubles on humanity in general, especially where this carking care is the result of our own folly or vice, that even the softened feelings engendered in Lord Coniston's mind by his true admiration for Mina's girlish grace and beauty, were thrust into the back ground by the pre-eminent satisfaction he felt at the probability of settling with his " cursed creditors," which an alliance with the Heiress of Haredale would certainly afford.

" Those who have been the worst duns I shall employ no more," he revengefully thought, then proceeded to consider how he would refurnish Coniston House, Avhere Mina's pretty ambition should be gratified by entertaining right royally. " I shall have a few horses, race moderately, but have nothing further to say to the gentlemen of the Ring. Give the best dinners in London, have the most beautiful wife, the finest horses, become THE EEEEREJSS OF HAREDALE. pere de famille, and so end my days respect ably, thereby greatly disappointing those who have committed me to eternal perdition." Lady Mount Nugent duly received Mr. Daguilar's letter, which she answered with her usual grace, thanking him for his information. She then held a long private conversation with Lord Coniston, the result being that she asked Mina the following day if she did not consider they had exhausted the sights of Florence, and whether she did not agree that it would be advisable to migrate to Venice?

" The very thing I should have proposed," replied Mina. " As we are to be in London the beginning of May, our time is getting limited." Mina was quite as anxious to fly from Florence as her aunt. Much as she had resented Mr. Daguilar's interference, his words had left their impression. The idea that her actions were watched was intolerable to her proud spirit. She would have given much to know if her aunt or Lord Coniston were aware of all that gossip had said, but was too shy to broach such a subject. If she really had done wrong in the past, surely she was not to blame, but Lady Mount Nugent ! IEEE HEIRESS OF HAREDALE. 13 Nevertheless that Mina had misgivings about the past was self-evident, for ever since their last expedition together, some nameless fear had made her treat Lord Coniston with greater reserve, and she had avoided every occasion of being alone in his societ}7, naturally greatly increasing his desire for the lost privilege.

Bitter was his gall against Mr. Daguilar, to whom he attributed this change in Lady Haredale's manner. But in no way did he press his company upon her, uncomplainingl}7 accepting the colder footing to which she had reduced their intimacy. But there was a gentle melancholy, a deferential reproach, in all his dealings with the young heiress, that touched while it irritated her. Still she remained firm. The departure from Florence was carried out with as much alacrity as Lady Mount Nugent's voluminous wardrobe and her maid's temper would allow. During these preparatory da}7s, Mina's intense desire to quit Florence was much increased by receiving an anonymous letter, warning her that she was the prey of a ruined spendthrift, into whose hands her aunt was playing. So vulgar and insolent was this epistle, that THE HEIRESS OF HAREDALE. 14 Mina had no difficulty in guessing the writer to be Mrs. Rasper, whom she had infuriated by persistently ignoring whenever they met.

She naturally destroyed this missive, which, after a few days, was followed by a tract, headed " Appalling End of a Gambler ! " This little pamphlet was handed to Mina as she and Lady Mount Nugent were getting into the carriage wliich was to convey them to Venice. Lord Coniston had decided it would be advisable to start a day earlier, and join the ladies at some appointed place on their road. " What on earth can that impertinent woman mean by sending me her husband's detestable trash ? " exclaimed Mina, angrily, tearing the Reverend Peter's effusion into atoms, scattering them amongst the flower girls — assembled as is their custom, with large bouquets, to speed those departing visitors who have patronised them and their lovely flowers. " So, my Lady Countess, you treat my friendly counsel with contempt.

Perhaps some day you may repent having turned a deaf ear to my advice," observed Mrs. Rasper, who was spitefully contemplating from a window in the table d'hote room the retreatin»- carriage which contained Lady Haredale.

Chapter II

Arrived at Venice— that abode of poetry and romance !— the days were spent by our little party almost wholly out of doors. The weather was perfect, and perfect weather at Venice in the month of April is, as all must acknowledge who have visited it at this season, divine. Under its influence, Mina's annovance at the occurrences of her last week in Florence faded away. Lord Mount Nugent had written to say he found it impossible to join his wife and niece, and hoped, after a tliree weeks' stay in Venice, they would return to England, when he trusted to find Mina restored to health and spirits. Mina had made many wise resolutions, not yet broken through, respecting her conduct with Lord Coniston. Indeed, she had dwelt so much on Mr. Daguilar's words, on how she would act in the future, that, combined with her hasty departure from Florence, she had for the first time been oblivious of the Aus tralian mail, and omitted writing to Ronald.

Terribly distressed at this omission, she was preparing, in self-reproach, a voluminous letter for the next post. But with Mina's EEA RED ALE. 16 self-reproach was mingled much disagreeable perplexity, for Ronald must be told she had seen Mr. Daguilar. It would also amuse him to hear of Mrs. Rasper's being at Florence. But how could she tell him of Mr. Daguilar's admonitions — of Mrs. Rasper's anonymous letter — without going into troublesome de tails which would, of necessity, grieve and wound him ? It was so difficult to explain everything by letter, and there were some things she was hardly prepared to explain, for she herself had not yet arrived at their explanation. Mina felt secure Mr. Daguilar wTould not betray her in any way. And what had he to betray that was true ? She was fully determined to act with the greatest discretion in future ; therefore, any explicit details of her meeting with Mr. Daguilar and Mrs. Rasper had best be buried in silence.

But though she had treated Mrs. Rasper's letter with the contempt such anonymous stings merit, she had been considerably disturbed by its contents in reference to her aunt, whose advice and opinions she held in the highest esteem. And this odious woman had ventured to call into question Lady Mount Nugent's actions ; raising doubts of that ladv's dis- TEEE HEIRESS OF HAREDALE. 17 cretion ; and Mina, loving her aunt truly, felt to hate Mrs. Rasper with increased vehemence for those doubts instilled — slowly filtering through her mind, strive as she would to forget them. The girl was also much puzzled by the heading of the tract she had so indignantly destroyed. LadyMountNugent's descriptive talents were vivid and graphic, and through them Mina had gained considerable knowledge of the pleasures of that world to which she was looking forward so -eagerly, and to which her aunt was so devoted.

But of its darker side, Mina had no knowledge ; for Lady Mount Nugent, with a praiseworthy respect for her unsophisticated innocence, had kept her niece wholly ignorant of the fashionable follies and vices of the great world. " Best let her discover the serpent amongst the flowers herself, dear child; I will not be the first to destroy her illusions," she said. Thus Mina's mind, owing to her past retired life and Lady Mount Nugent's reticence, was pure and guileless as that of a child. It was a few7 days after their arrival in Venice that, having sorely puzzled over the words gambler and spendthrift, of which her ideas were the vaguest, she said to her aunt, in presence of Lord Coniston : vol. in. HAREDALE. 18 " Is it very wicked to be a gambler, aunt Gwen ? " Her companions looked at her in un pleasant surprise.

" This is the clergyman's doing," thought Lord Coniston, with no benedictory feelings, during the dead silence whicli ensued on Mina's interrogation. Lady Mount Nugent was the first to recover from the shock of the undesirable question. She burst out laughing, saying : " Ah ! you are thinking of Mrs. Rasper's tract. Well, Mina, there are gamblers and gamblers. A man who has a family and others to consider, is certainly a very bad man if he gambles ; for his money is, strictly speaking, not his own. But if he is alone in the world, I cannot see why he has not a perfect right to do what he likes with that of which he is sole possessor. He who is termed a gambler is, generally, open-handed and generous — far batter than being a miser ; and I have known men, supposed to be irreclaim able gamblers, become models of prudence when happily married."

" While a miser ever remains a miser — a pitiable object of contempt," carelessly re marked Lord Coniston, rising to leave the room — with mingled feelings of gratitude THE HEIRESS OF HAREDALE. 19 towards Lady Mount Nugent, and fierce ran cour against Mr. Daguilar. The very hindrances apparently rising to obstruct his passion increased it, determining him to overcome every obstacle lying in his path to victory. In the first exultation of spirit that success in his pursuit of Mina promised, love for the woman had for a short space been lost sight of in the attractions of the heiress by whose agency he was to be restored to all the good things of life. But since Mina had assumed a colder manner towards him, and in fear this coldness arose from some disclosure of his past on Mr. Daguilar's part, perhaps leading to the loss of her respect, Lord Coniston discovered how deep was the sway wliich Mina's lovely self exercised over him, quite independent of her wealth.

A last love often burns with fiercer strength than a first, especially when roused in the breast of one who, deeming the power of love extinct, suddenly finds it re-kindled, bringing in its passionate train a return of youth and hope. Lord Coniston had ever preferred con quests entailing a struggle. He felt a struggle now lay before him, but was by no means 4;;* THE HEERESS OF EE A RED A LE. 20 dismayed at the prospect — on the contrary, it gave zest to the combat. As soon as he had closed the door, Lady Mount Nugent quickly changed the conversa - tion by asking her niece what plans she had formed for the day. " None," replied Mina indifferently, looking absently out of the window. As her aunt looked anxiously at her, surprised at so eager a sight-seer being careless about the employment of her time, Mina said abruptly : "Is Lord Coniston a gambler, Aunt Gwen ?

" Lady Mount Nugent was terribly discon certed by this downright question, but even she hesitated to tell a direct untruth, and replied evasively : " The world in its superficial estimate of his character has the kindness to so term him, but I, who have known him all my life, am assured of the contrary. Lord Coniston belongs to that class of men to whom I alluded. An only child, brought up by a foolish mother, and having no other close relation when she died, he fell into the hands of sycophants and toadies, and — the most good-natured of men — was led by them to gamble on the Turf, where he was certainly TEEE HEEEIESS OF EEAEIEDALE. 21 very unfortunate. He has now entirely given up racing." Lady Mount Nugent did not add that stern necessity had compelled the Marquis to this act of virtue.

" I wonder he has never married," observed Mina thoughtfully, with a little increase of colour. " If you knew him as well as I do, you would cease to wonder at his still being a bachelor. In his early days he was utterly disgusted with the way women ran after him. And he is very particular in his ideas about our sex." Lady Mount Nugent spoke with mysterious emphasis, and really believed what she was saying ; but recognising that she was treading on delicate ground, and undesirous of any more sifting questions, she got up, and tapping Mina's delicate cheek playfully, said : " If you wish to know anything more about Lord Coniston's past histor)7, in which you seem vastly interested, you had better apply to him for further details, my child ; and now, for the second time of asking, what do you propose doing this afternoon ?

" " Whatever you like," replied Mina im patiently, turning her head away from her aunt's scrutinising glance. " Well, dear, I like to do nothing. I have TIIE HEIRESS OF HAREDALE. 22 letters to write and will remain at home ; but you and Lord Coniston can take the gondola, and amuse yourselves as you like. I am perfectly exhausted with this past week's sight-seeing ; the very idea of entering another church, and breaking my neck and injuring my eyes by a vain attempt to decipher pictures shrouded in almost total obscurity, makes me shudder." Confused and colouring,- -Mina made no reply. " Well, dear, what is the matter ? " de manded her aunt, in surprise at her silence. " Oh ! nothing, dear Aunt Gwen — but — but — is it right for me to go about alone with Lord Coniston ? " Mina spoke in painful embarrassment.

" Since when have you been assailed by these scruples, Mina ? " replied Lady Mount Nugent coldly. " You were perfectly content to spend whole days alone with Lord Coniston at Florence. Are you falling in love with him ? Or have you reason to think he is in love with you ? " " Neither," exclaimed Mina indignantly, with an impetuous and proud backward movement of her graceful head, while her delicate nostrils dilated like those of an angry courser ready for battle. TEEE HEERESS OF HAREDALE. 23 " Then, my dear child," in measured tones responded her aunt, unmindful of the ire she had roused, "if you do not wish Lord Coniston to think you are in love with him, don't talk nonsense, but put on your hat, and I wall desire Vicenzo to order the gondola." As Mina, furiously indignant, and smarting under her aunt's last words, was determining to falsify them by going from one end of Venice to another under Lord Coniston's protection, and wdth this laudable intention was leaving the room in haughty silence, Lady Mount Nugent stopped her, saying : "Wait a moment, Mina.

You have thrown doubts upon my discretion. Do you believe there is anyone in this world who has your happiness more at heart than I have ? Has Mr. Daguilar poisoned your mind against me ? I fear it must be so, for I have observed a strange alteration in your manner towards me since that excellent divine made his appearance at Florence." There wras a ring of true pathos in Lady Mount Nugent's voice, which did her good service in the moment of need ; for the girl stooped down, kissing her aunt in affectionate deprecation, as a child might have done, pressing her downy cheek against Lady Mount Nugent's as she said : » No— no— dear Aunt Gwen, a thousand times no. But — but " "Give me no buts," replied her aunt, smiling, and the courier coming in with letters arrested Mina's further confidence, and Lady Mount Nugent was not sorry, feeling it might entail uncomfortable ex planations she was neither ready nor willing to accord.