"I really think that she likes the lord the best," said Mrs. Bluestone to her husband. "Then why the mischief won't she have him?" This was in October, and that November term was fast approaching in which the cause was set down for trial. "I almost think she would if he'd come and ask her again. Of course, I have never mentioned the other man; but when I speak to her of Earl Lovel, she always answers me as though she were almost in love with him. I was inquiring yesterday what sort of a man he was, and she said he was quite perfect. 'It is a thousand pities,' she said, 'that he should not have this money. He ought to have it, as he is the Earl.'" "Why doesn't she give it to him?" "I asked her that; but she shook her head and said, that it could never be. I think that man has made her swear some sort of awful oath, and has frightened her." "No doubt he has made her swear an oath, but we all know how the gods regard the perjuries of lovers," said the Serjeant. "We must get the young lord here when he comes back to town." "Is he handsome?" asked Alice Bluestone, the younger daughter, who had become Lady Anna's special friend in the family. Of course they were talking of Lord Lovel. "Everybody says he is." "But what do you say?" "I don't think it matters much about a man being handsome,--but he is beautiful. Not dark, like all the other Lovels; nor yet what you call fair. I don't think that fair men ever look manly." "Oh no," said Alice, who was contemplating an engagement with a black-haired young barrister. "Lord Lovel is brown,--with blue eyes; but it is the shape of his face that is so perfect,--an oval, you know, that is not too long. But it isn't that makes him look as he does. He looks as though everybody in the world ought to do exactly what he tells them." "And why don't you, dear, do exactly what he tells you?" "Ah,--that is another question. I should do many things if he told me. He is the head of our family. I think he ought to have all this money, and be a rich great man, as the Earl Lovel should be." "And yet you won't be his wife?" "Would you,--if you had promised another man?" "Have you promised another man?" "Yes;--I have." "Who is he, Lady Anna?" "They have not told you, then?" "No;--nobody has told me. I know they all want you to marry Lord Lovel,--and I know he wants it. I know he is quite in love with you." "Ah;--I do not think that. But if he were, it could make no difference. If you had once given your word to another man, would you go back because a lord asked you?" "I don't think I would ever give my word without asking mamma." "If he had been good to you, and you had loved him always, and he had been your best friend,--what would you do then?" "Who is he, Lady Anna?" "Do not call me Lady Anna, or I shall not like you. I will tell you, but you must not say that I told you. Only I thought everybody knew. I told Lord Lovel, and he, I think, has told all the world. It is Mr. Daniel Thwaite."