been wanting in essential services, as well as kind attentions? He has doubled your income ever since you were a widow, he made me a kind present on my marriage, received you and some of your daughters every autumn for a month or two, sent you abundance of venison, game, and fruit, which you always gave away, by that means securing yourself numerous invitations to pleasant families——pardon me if I speak warmly, but I must do my uncle justice."

"Of course, for he justified your disobedience; and I do suppose it has been your tattle that justifies him to himself in not sending me money, now that he cannot fail to know what I want, in order that I may leave this place."

"I have never written a line to Lord Rotheles since my marriage, save to thank him."

"That is a paltry subterfuge. You have told Georgiana that the Count found me money on his arrival, and she has told Lord Rotheles, to make him easy?"

"Count Riccardini find money! I did not know he had any. I thought he was poor, for I am certain he is careful; and I could not dream of such a thing."

"Not unless he had told you. Well, well, since you did not know, I beg you will consider yourself in ignorance still, and by no means let it slip to Helen; if she knows nothing she can tell nothing, and is in the safer state."