he had taken leave one little week before. How differently he had appeared the happy night of the county assembly, and at the still happier masked ball at the Duke of Rosley's! Blind, foolish girl, she thought, to have failed to observe these things before, and now!---- "I have written to Lorrington, my dear Alice," said the Countess, "as head of the family, and your eldest brother, it is a compliment we must pay him--but it is mere compliment, remember." "To write to William?" mamma. "I presume you know to what subject I allude," continued the Countess. "He will give his consent of course." "Oh, mamma!" cried Alice, while tears sprang into her eyes, "I was in hopes you would have spared me this. Don't write to William; or let _me_ tell him--let me add in a postscript--let me"---- "You will do what I wish you, I conclude--and I have told Sir Stratford"---- "Oh, what? what have you told him?" "That he is accepted. I trust I shall hear no more on the subject. The marriage will take place in two months." "But I don't love him, mamma--indeed." "I am glad to hear it," said the mother, coldly. "I rejoice that my daughters are too well brought up to love any one--that is--of course--till they are engaged; during that short interval, it is right enough--in moderation; though, even then, it is much more comfortable to continue perfectly indifferent. Persons of feeling are always vulgar, and only fit for clergymen's wives." "But Sir Stratford, mamma"---- "Has twenty thousand a-year, and is in very good society. He almost lives with the Rosleys. The Duke has been trying to get him for his son-in-law for a whole year." "And Lady Mary so beautiful, too?" "I believe, my dear, Lady Mary's affections, as they are called, are engaged." "Indeed?" enquired the daughter, for curiosity in such subjects exists even in the midst of one's own distresses. "May I ask who has gained Lady Mary's heart?" "I believe it is that young Mr Lawleigh, a cousin of the Duchess--old Lord Berville's nephew; you've seen him here--a quiet, reserved young man. I saw nothing in him, and I understand he is very poor." "And does--does Mr Lawleigh--like--love--Lady Mary?" enquired Alice with difficulty. "He never honoured me with his confidence," replied the Countess--"but I suppose he does--of course he does--Sir Stratford, indeed, told me so--and he ought to know, for he is his confidant." "He keeps the secret well," said Lady Alice with a slight tone of bitterness; "and Mr Lawleigh could scarcely be obliged to him if he knew the use he makes of his confidence--and Lady Mary still less"--she added.