He had never failed, by means of them, to extort money from Lady Lisle at pleasure.

It was useless to threaten any more.

She had but to dare him to bring forth his proofs, and he had not one word to say.
His only consolation was, that in revenge, he had completely blighted the young hero's life, for hero he was, although his heroism was of a mistaken kind.
And Lady Amelie--did she feel any regret for the young life tarnished?
She missed a very pleasant companion, an enthusiastic adorer, but as fortune would have it, there came to England a young Roman prince, who was both artist and poet, handsome as a Greek god, and wealthy beyond compare.

His appearance created a perfect furore in fashionable society, and he, as a matter of course, fell in love with Lady Amelie, so that she soon forgot the young knight who languished in prison.

When the season was over, she persuaded her husband to go to Rome, and never left even a line or a message for the mistaken young man who had done so much for her.
She only did what suited her; she was the queen of coquettes, and she made him useful to her; nothing else mattered.
The lonely months wore on very slowly for Basil.