So, perhaps, she draws upon her invention a little in talking about other people, and felt herself restrained when she came to speak of my grandfather.' This passage in Lesbia's letter affected Lady Maulevrier as if a scorpion had wriggled from underneath the sheet of paper.

She folded the letter, and laid it in the satin-lined box on her table, with a deep sigh.
'Yes, she is in the world now, and she will ask questions.

I have never warned her against pronouncing her grandfather's name.

There are some who will not be so kind as Georgie Kirkbank; some, perhaps, who will delight in humiliating her, and who will tell her the worst that can be told.

My only hope is that she will make a great marriage, and speedily.
Once the wife of a man with a high place in the world, worldlings will be too wise to wound her by telling her that her grandfather was an unconvicted felon.' The die was cast.