1. Novelty 1 2. Pastime 18 3. Discussion 29 4. More Novelty 45 5. Observing at hand 62 6. Observing afar 70 7. One for Himself 87 8. Consequences 108 9. Each for All 118 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FOR EACH AND FOR ALL. -------------- CHAPTER I. NOVELTY. The season was more than half over, and was about to be pronounced remarkably dull, when a promise of novelty was given out in the shape of a rumour that lord F—— and his lady, who had been travelling abroad from the day of their marriage, had arrived in town, and that the bride’s first appearance would take place at the Duke of A——’s ball on the 20th. This information was circulated in various forms of words, all bearing a relation to what lady F—— had been before she was lady F——. At the clubs, in the shops, in drawing-rooms and boudoirs, it was related that lady F——’s debut would take place on the 20th. Her first appearance on a new stage,—her return from a tour in the provinces,—her first night in a new character, all were referred to the 20th, in a manner which should prevent any one forgetting that lady F—— had quitted a profession on her marriage. The curiosity was not confined to mothers and daughters, to whose observation an extraordinary marriage is the most exciting circumstance that life affords: in this case, the interest was shared by their husbands and fathers. Some wondered how the proud old earl would stand the introduction of his daughter-in-law into his own society; and others, who had told lord F—— that he was a lucky fellow to have won such a glorious creature, speculated, notwithstanding, on the awkwardnesses and difficulties which must hourly arise from the choice of one so far below him in rank. He was an odd personage, however,—lord F——; and there was no telling how he would think and feel on occasions when everybody else felt alike. On the whole, greater sympathy was expressed for his sister, lady Frances, who was more likely to be mortified,—who certainly was more mortified at the connexion than the rest of her family. Her father was understood to have insisted on her making the best of the affair, since it could not be helped; but, whatever her outward demeanour might appear, it would be too hard upon her to suppose that she could do more than barely keep on terms with a sister-in-law who had been on the stage. A solitary voice here and there