Mrs. Brande drew back, as if she thought Mrs. Langrishe was going to be a little rattlesnake. “It is not to be given out for a few days, but Lalla and Sir Gloster are engaged. It is quite settled.” Sir Gloster had only proposed the previous evening, and had begged that the fact of the engagement might be kept quiet for a week, until he had wired home to his all-important mother. She must be told before any one. Yes, he had succumbed to Lalla’s bright blandishments. He was a dull, heavy man; he liked to be amused. He would have amusement all day long when Lalla was his wife. She had a charming voice, and read aloud well. She brought him all the scraps of news, she was an admirable mimic, an adroit flatterer, and altogether a charming girl; and her daily _tête-à-têtes_ were of a most stimulating character, and he looked forward to them with keen anticipation. She gave him a capital description of the unmasking of Captain Waring, the sensation created by the _soi-disant_ poor relation; how every one was certain that it was going to be a match between him and Miss Gordon; how he had absconded, and Miss Gordon was left. He had evidently joined his friend in Bombay--_wise_ young man! Sir Gloster, who was naturally of a huffy and implacable disposition, had never recovered the shock to his affections and self-esteem. He was by no means sorry to hear that in her turn Miss Gordon had been spurned, and he was resolved to show her how speedily _he_ had been consoled. Mrs. Langrishe, when she entered Mrs. Brande’s house, had not intended to divulge her great news--merely to throw out hints, draw comparisons, and trample more or less on the fallen and forsaken. But for once human nature was too strong for her: she would have had a serious illness if she had not then and there relieved her mind of her overwhelming achievement. Mrs. Brande opened her blue eyes to their widest extent; her worst fears were confirmed. She however mustered up an artificial smile, and said-- “I am sure you are very pleased,” which was true--“and I am glad indeed to hear it,” which was not true. “It is to be kept quiet for a week,” murmured Mrs. Langrishe; “but I am telling you as an old friend, who I feel _sure_ will be pleased with the news. Of course, we are all delighted; it is everything we could wish,” and she drew herself up. “I should rather think it was!” rejoined Mrs. Brande, tartly; she was but human after all. “My brother and all my people will be much gratified--Sir Gloster is such a dear good fellow, and so well off, and _so_ steady.” “I hope he won’t be a little _too_ steady for Lalla!” “Not he; and he delights in all her fun, and singing----” “And dancing?” suggested Mrs. Brande, significantly. “It will not be a long engagement,” ignoring this little thrust. “This is the second week of September; we shall all be going down in another six weeks. We will have the wedding in about a month.”