Caroline asked why.

’Because, my dear, she is enamoured of his person.  These little unhealthy creatures are always attracted by the person.  She thinks it to be Evan’s qualities.  I know better:  it is his person.  Beckley Court may be lost by a shabby coat!’

The Countess had recovered from certain spiritual languors into which she had fallen after her retreat.  Ultimate victory hung still in the balance.  Oh! if Evan would only marry this little sufferer, who was so sure to die within a year! or, if she lived (for marriage has often been as a resurrection to some poor female invalids), there was Beckley Court, a splendid basis for future achievements.  Reflecting in this fashion, the Countess pardoned her brother.  Glowing hopes hung fresh lamps in her charitable breast.  She stepped across the threshold of Tailordom, won Mr. Goren’s heart by her condescension, and worked Evan into a sorrowful mood concerning the invalid.  Was not Juliana his only active friend?  In return, he said things which only required a little colouring to be very acceptable to her.

The game waxed exciting again.  The enemy (the Jocelyn party) was alert, but powerless.  The three sisters were almost wrought to perform a sacrifice far exceeding Evan’s.  They nearly decided to summon him to the house:  but the matter being broached at table one evening, Major Strike objected to it so angrily that they abandoned it, with the satisfactory conclusion that if they did wrong it was the Major’s fault.

Meantime Juliana had much on her conscience.  She knew Evan to be innocent, and she allowed Rose to think him guilty.  Could she bring her heart to join them?  That was not in her power:  but desiring to be lulled by a compromise, she devoted herself to make his relatives receive him; and on days of bitter winds she would drive out to meet him, answering all expostulations with—­’I should not go if he were here.’

The game waxed hot.  It became a question whether Evan should be admitted to the house in spite of the Major.  Juliana now made an extraordinary move.  Having the Count with her in the carriage one day, she stopped in front of Mr. Goren’s shop, and Evan had to come out.  The Count returned home extremely mystified.  Once more the unhappy Countess was obliged to draw bills on the fabulous; and as she had recommenced the system, which was not without its fascinations to her, Juliana, who had touched the spring, had the full benefit of it.  The Countess had deceived her before—­what of that?  She spoke things sweet to hear.  Who could be false that gave her heart food on which it lived?

One night Juliana returned from her drive alarmingly ill.  She was watched through the night by Caroline and the Countess alternately.  In the morning the sisters met.

‘She has consented to let us send for a doctor,’ said Caroline.

‘Her chief desire seems to be a lawyer,’ said the Countess.