‘She never liked me, mamma.’

‘Then she is so much more good-natured.’

’But I don’t want to go to her merely because she is good-natured enough to receive a person she dislikes.  I know she is very good.  I know she would sacrifice herself for anything she thought right.  But, mamma, she is such a bore!’

But Lady Rowley would not be talked down, even by Nora, in this fashion.  Nora was somewhat touched with an idea that it would be a fine independent thing to live alone, if it were only for a week or two, just because other young ladies never lived alone.  Perhaps there was some half-formed notion in her mind that permission to do so was part of the reward due to her for having refused to marry a lord.  Stanbury was in some respects a Bohemian, and it would become her, she thought, to have a little practice herself in the Bohemian line.  She had, indeed, declined a Bohemian marriage, feeling strongly averse to encounter the loud displeasure of her father and mother; but as long as everything was quite proper, as long as there should be no running away, or subjection of her name to scandal, she considered that a little independence would be useful and agreeable.  She had looked forward to sitting up at night alone by a single tallow candle, to stretching a beefsteak so as to last her for two days’ dinners, and perhaps to making her own bed.  Now, there would not be the slightest touch of romance in a visit to Lady Milborough’s house in Eccleston Square, at the end of July.  Lady Rowley, however, was of a different opinion, and spoke her mind plainly.  ’Nora, my dear, don’t be a fool.  A young lady like you can’t go and live in lodgings by herself.  All manner of things would be said.  And this is such a very kind offer!  You must accept it for Hugh’s sake.  I have already said that you would accept it.’

‘But she will be going out of town.’

’She will stay till you can go to Monkhams if Emily is not back before then.  She knows all about Emily’s affairs; and if she does come back, which I doubt, poor thing, Lady Milborough and you will be able to judge whether you should go to her.’  So it was settled, and Nora’s Bohemian Castle in the Air fell into shatters.

The few remaining days before the departure to Southampton passed quickly, but yet sadly.  Sir Marmaduke had come to England expecting pleasure and with that undefined idea which men so employed always have on their return home that something will turn up which will make their going back to that same banishment unnecessary.  What Governor of Hong-Kong, what Minister to Bogota, what General of the Forces at the Gold Coast, ever left the scene of his official or military labours without a hope, which was almost an expectation, that a grateful country would do something better for him before the period of his return should have arrived?  But a grateful country was doing nothing better for Sir Marmaduke, and an ungrateful Secretary of State at the Colonial Office would not