‘What shall I say to her?’ asked his mother.

’She oughtn’t to have come.  I should tell her just that.  You might send the maid to her to tell her that you couldn’t see her again.’

But Lady Carbury could not treat the girl after that fashion.  She returned to the drawing-room, descending the stairs very slowly, and thinking what answer she would make.  ‘Miss Melmotte,’ she said, ’my son feels that everything has been so changed since he and you last met, that nothing can be gained by a renewal of your acquaintance.’

‘That is his message;—­is it?’ Lady Carbury remained silent.  ’Then he is indeed all that they have told me; and I am ashamed that I should have loved him.  I...