"Oh, Harriet! do not laugh so. He is looking at you!" "No great wonder in that, my dear, since he has come all the way from Ireland for that especial purpose." "Mr. Gage! I wish to show you the bracelet Lord Raymond gave me on the morning of his marriage. Look! this is Lucy's hair. I told him not to put any of his straw-coloured stuff along with it, to spoil the effect. I rather like those dolphins fretted with rubies; they have an eastern look. He would clasp it on, over my swansdown cuff, and I did not like to take it off, though I had the pleasure of telling him he had done me an incredible deal of mischief." Mr. Gage stood looking attentively at the bracelet, which she had unclasped, and given into his hand. "Do you not think it very handsome?" she said. "Very. It would almost have reconciled you to the match had you been averse to it," said Mr. Gage. "It did not reconcile me to his crushing my beautiful swansdown," said Harriet. "Here, give it me; you cannot put it on. Margaret shall clasp it." "It must have been a trying day to you on the whole," said Mr. Gage, employing himself as he spoke in fastening the bracelet on Harriet's arm, regardless of her hint. "Why, between you and I, it was," said Harriet, holding up her embroidered handkerchief by two corners, and contemplating the pattern of the point lace, as she leaned back in the chair. "First, I had to get up early--a thing I detest in cold weather; then--let me see, what was my next trouble? Oh! my shoes were too long; and I was obliged to steal a pair of Lucy's:--and then, Margaret, when Lucy was nearly dressed, and I expected her to sit down by the fire, and have some breakfast in peace and quietness she suddenly leaned up against mamma's bureau, and burst out crying. I was never so taken aback in my life; for she is not given to demonstrations; and what to say to her, I knew not. I could not tell her she was not going to be married; and that seemed to be the cause of her grief. However, we managed with salts and essences, and scolding and coaxing, to bring her round; and then we got on very well till after breakfast, when we came to the parting. Now, you know, Margaret, in the same county, it can hardly be called a parting. But then Lucy began again; and Lord Raymond did so fuss, and so stammer, by way of consoling her. And when they were off, and the company melted away--what do you think I did? I got into plain clothes again as fast as possible; and sat down to stuff your box of cake full of bon-bons, I took you for the little girl you were when I left you. Mr. Gage, a compliment, Sir, quick now!" "I would not offend Miss Capel by supposing that I could compliment her," said Mr. Gage. "Aha! Margaret, the fun we will have at Wardenscourt! The riding and driving; the parties and dances; the plays--the tableaux!"