Lord and lady F—— found, as all people find, that drawbacks and trials attend the most exact fulfilment of wishes. Lord F—— had power, was conscious of usefulness, and was therefore freed from the discontent with himself and his position which had tormented him from his college days till now; but new trials came with office. Not only toil, perplexity, and difficulty, but the relinquishment of pursuits which he loved, and the deprivation of much of his wife’s society. She felt this deprivation yet more. It was painful to know that he was in his study, and to be obliged to spend three-fourths of the day alone; but she had also to bear to have him called away suddenly, and to be disappointed of his return day after day. On one occasion, some weeks after they settled themselves at Weston,—this happened while their abode was full of guests, among whom were the earl and lady Frances. Lord F—— was called to town,—believed he might have to go farther,—could not tell how soon he should be able to return. The first two days passed heavily away,—not to the guests, who enlivened the country round with their outdoor sports, and the rumours that went abroad of their indoor revelry,—but to the wife who was far more busy watching for Henry’s return than playing the hostess, gracefully as she filled her office. The happiest part of her day was when shut in with her father-in-law in the library, or reading in her boudoir, or taking her solitary morning walk when her guests were dispersed whithersoever their pleasures led them.