Two hours elapsed before Mr. Rigby returned.  There was a churlish and unusual look about him.

“Lord Monmouth suggests that, as you were tired of Paris, your ladyship might find the German baths at Kissingen agreeable.  A paragraph in the ‘Morning Post’ would announce that his lordship was about to join you; and even if his lordship did not ultimately reach you, an amicable separation would be effected.”

In vain Lucretia stormed.  Mr. Rigby mentioned that Lord Monmouth had already left the house and would not return, and finally announced that Lucretia’s letters to a certain Prince Trautsmandorff were in his lordship’s possession.

A few days later, and Coningsby read in the papers of Lady Monmouth’s departure to Kissingen.  He called at Monmouth House, to find the place empty, and to learn from the porter that Lord Monmouth was about to occupy a villa at Richmond.

Coningsby entertained for his grandfather a sincere affection.  With the exception of their last unfortunate interview, he had experienced nothing but kindness from Lord Monmouth.  He determined to pay him a visit at Richmond.

Lord Monmouth, who was entertaining two French ladies at his villa, recoiled from grandsons and relations and ties of all kinds; but Coningsby so pleasantly impressed his fair visitors that Lord Monmouth decided to ask him to dinner.  Thus, in spite of the combinations of Lucretia and Mr. Rigby, and his grandfather’s resentment, within a month of the memorable interview at Monmouth House, Coningsby found himself once more a welcome guest at Lord Monmouth’s table.

In that same month other important circumstances also occurred.

At a fete in some beautiful gardens on the banks of the Thames, Coningsby and Edith Millbank were both present.  The announcement was made of the forthcoming marriage of Lady Theresa Sydney to Mr. Eustace Lyle, a friend of Mr. Coningsby; and later, from the lips of Lady Wallinger herself, Miss Millbank’s aunt, Coningsby learnt how really groundless was the report of Lord Beaumanoir’s engagement.

“Lord Beaumanoir admires her—­has always admired her,” Lady Wallinger explained to Coningsby; “but Edith has given him no encouragement whatever.”

At the end of the terrace Edith and Coningsby met.  He seized the occasion to walk some distance by her side.

“How could you ever doubt me?” said Coningsby, after some time.

“I was unhappy.”

“And now we are to each other as before.”

“And will be, come what may,” said Edith.

VI.—­Lord Monmouth’s Money

In the midst of Christmas-revels at the country house of Mr. Eustace Lyle, surrounded by the duke and duchess and their children—­the Sydneys—­Coningsby was called away by a messenger, who brought news of the sudden death of Lord Monmouth.  The marquess had died at supper at his Richmond villa, with no persons near him but those who were very amusing.