There was not much need to tell them what had happened; the countess knew in a moment by Lenore's face--pale, but with a light of triumph glowing in it--that the hour had come, and that she had won. In her graceful manner, she went up to the countess, and bent over to kiss her. "I am going up now, dear," she said, in a whisper. "I am rather tired." The countess embraced her. "Not too tired to see me if I come?" she said, in a whisper, and Lady Lenore shook her head. She put her hand in Leycester's for a moment, as he opened the door for her, and looked into his face; but he would not let her go so coldly, and raising her hand to his lips, said-- "Good-night, Lenore." The earl started and stared at this familiar salutation, and Lord Charles raised his eyebrows; but Leycester came to the fire, and stood looking into it for a minute in silence. Then he turned to them and said, in his quiet way-- "Lenore has promised to be my wife. Have you any objection, sir?" The earl started and looked at him, and then held out his hand with an emphatic nod. "Objection! It is about the wisest thing you ever did, Leycester." Leycester smiled at him strangely, and turned to his mother. She did not speak, but her eyes filled, and she put her hand on his shoulder and kissed him. "My dear Leycester, I congratulate you!" exclaimed Charlie, wringing his hand and beaming joyously. "'Pon my word, this is the--the happiest thing we've come across for many a day! By George!" And having dropped Leycester's hand, he seized that of the earl, and wrung that, and would in turn have seized the countess's, had she not given it to him of her own free will. "We have to thank you in some measure for this, Charles," she said, in a low voice, and with a grateful smile. Leycester leant against the mantel-shelf, his hands behind him, his face set and thoughtful, almost absent, indeed. He had the appearance of a man in a dream. The earl roused him with a word or two. "This is very good news, Leycester." "I am very glad you are pleased, sir," said Leycester, quietly. "I am more than pleased, I am delighted," responded the earl, in his quiet way. "I may say that it is the fulfillment of a hope I have cherished for some time. I trust, more, I believe, you will be happy. If you are not," he added, with a smile, "it will be your own fault." Leycester smiled grimly. "No doubt, sir," he said. The old earl passed his white hands over each other--just as he did in the House when he was about to make a speech. "Lenore is one of the most beautiful and charming women it has been my fate to meet; she has been regarded by your mother, and I may say by myself, as a daughter. The prospect of receiving her at your hands as one in very truth affords me the most intense pleasure." "Thank you, sir," said Leycester. The earl coughed behind his hand. "I suppose," he said, with a glance at the haggard face, "there will be no delay in making your happiness complete?"