The odds against Miss Trefoil were of course great;--but girls have won even against such odds as these.

She knew her own powers, and was aware that Lord Rufford was fond of feminine beauty and feminine flutter and feminine flattery, though he was not prepared to marry.
It was quite possible that she might be able to dig such a pit for him that it would be easier for him to marry her than to get out in any other way.

Of course she must trust something to his own folly at first.

Nor did she trust in vain.

Before her week was over at Mrs.
Gore's she received from him a letter, which, with the correspondence to which it immediately led, shall be given in this chapter.
LETTER NO.