So dark and wondrous are the workings of our nature, that there are scarcely any of us, however light and unthinking, who would not be arrested by the countenance of one in deep reflection--who would not pause, and long to pierce into the mysteries that were agitating that world, most illimitable by nature, but often most narrowed by custom--the world within. And this interest, powerful as it is, spelled and arrested Constance at once. She remained for a minute gazing on the countenance of the young stranger, and then she--the most self-possessed and stately of human creatures--blushing deeply, and confused though unseen, turned lightly away and stopped not on her road till she regained the old chamber and Lady Erpingham. The old woman was descanting upon the merits of the late Lord of Godolphin Priory,-- “For though they called him close, and so forth, my lady, yet he was generous to others; it was only himself he pinched. But, to be sure, the present squire won’t take after him there.” “Has Mr. Percy Godolphin been here lately?” asked Lady Erpingham. “He is at the cottage now, my lady,” replied the old woman. “He came two days ago.” “Is he like his father?” “Oh! not near so fine-looking a gentleman! much smaller, and quite pale-like. He seems sickly: them foreign parts do nobody no good. He was as fine a lad at sixteen years old as ever I seed; but now he is not like the same thing.” So then it was evidently Percy Godolphin whom Constance had seen by the brook--the owner of a home without coffers, and estates without a rent-roll--the Percy Godolphin, of whom, before he had attained the age when others have left the college, or even the school, every one had learned to speak--some favourably, all with eagerness. Constance felt a vague interest respecting him spring up in her mind. She checked it, for it was a sin in her eye to think with interest on a man neither rich nor powerful; and as she quitted the ruins with Lady Erpingham, she communicated to the latter her adventure. She was, however, disingenuous; for though Godolphin’s countenance was exactly of that cast which Constance most admired, she described him just as the old woman had done; and Lady Erpingham figured to herself, from the description, a little yellow man, with white hair and a turned-up nose. O Truth! what a hard path is thine! Does any keep it for three inches together in the commonest trifle?--and yet two sides of my library are filled with histories! (1) Campbell. CHAPTER XIII. A BALL ANNOUNCED.--GODOLPHIN’S VISTT TO WENDOVER CASTLE.--HIS MANNERS AND CONVERSATION. Lady Erpingham (besides her daughter, Lady Eleanor, married to Mr. Clare, a county member, of large fortune) was blessed with one son.