’You will hear, that is, if you care to listen, Venetia, much of my conduct and opinions,’ continued Lord Cadurcis, ’that may induce you to believe me headstrong and capricious.  Perhaps I am less of both in all things than the world imagines.  But of this be certain, that my feelings towards you have never changed, whatever you may permit them to be; and if some of my boyish judgments have, as was but natural, undergone some transformation, be you, my sweet friend, in some degree consoled for the inconsistency, since I have at length learned duly to appreciate one of whom we then alike knew little, but whom a natural inspiration taught you, at least, justly to appreciate:  I need not say I mean the illustrious father of your being.’

Venetia could not restrain her tears; she endeavoured to conceal her agitated countenance behind the fan with which she was fortunately provided.

‘To me a forbidden subject,’ said Venetia, ’at least with them I could alone converse upon it, but one that my mind never deserts.’

‘O Venetia!’ exclaimed Lord Cadurcis with a sigh, ’would we were both with him!’

‘A wild thought,’ she murmured, ‘and one I must not dwell upon.’

‘We shall meet, I hope,’ said Lord Cadurcis; ’we must meet, meet often.  I called upon your mother to-day, fruitlessly.  You must attempt to conciliate her.  Why should we be parted?  We, at least, are friends, and more than friends.  I cannot exist unless we meet, and meet with the frankness of old days.’

’I think you mistake mamma; I think you may, indeed.  Remember how lately she has met you, and after how long an interval!  A little time, and she will resume her former feelings, and believe that you have never forfeited yours.  Besides, we have friends, mutual friends.  My aunt admires you, and here I naturally must be a great deal.  And the Bishop, he still loves you; that I am sure he does:  and your cousin, mamma likes your cousin.  I am sure if you can manage only to be patient, if you will only attempt to conciliate a little, all will be as before.  Remember, too, how changed your position is,’ Venetia added with a smile; ’you allow me to forget you are a great man, but mamma is naturally restrained by all this wonderful revolution.  When she finds that you really are the Lord Cadurcis whom she knew such a very little boy, the Lord Cadurcis who, without her aid, would never have been able even to write his fine poems, oh! she must love you again.  How can she help it?’

Cadurcis smiled.  ‘We shall see,’ he said.  ’In the meantime do not you desert me, Venetia.’

‘That is impossible,’ she replied; ’the happiest of my days have been passed with you.  You remember the inscription on the jewel?  I shall keep to my vows.’

‘That was a very good inscription so far as it went,’ said Cadurcis; and then, as if a little alarmed at his temerity, he changed the subject.

‘Do you know,’ said Venetia, after a pause, ’I am treating you all this time as a poet, merely in deference to public opinion.  Not a line have I been permitted to read; but I am resolved to rebel, and you must arrange it all.’