And did not the thought then occur to his lordship, that the scheme which he was meditating must of necessity destroy that peace, that happiness, that purity, which now formed so lovely and interesting a picture? Did not some recollection of beauty prematurely fading, of the burning blushes of self-reproach, of the convulsive throbbings of breaking hearts, of memory burdened and writhing under the agony of thoughts it cannot bear and cannot forget, come into the mind of the Right Honorable Lord Spoonbill? Did he not recollect poor Ellen, lovely in her simplicity, happy in her innocence, the light of her home and the joy of her widowed mother's heart? And did he not think of that same Ellen dropping the tears of agonizing penitence on that mother's dying pillow, and wandering now, for aught he knew to the contrary, a houseless, shivering, desolate outcast? No such thoughts entered his mind. Selfishness and sensuality predominated over, or excluded all other feelings. He used all the art of which he was master to render himself agreeable to his companion during their short journey. He also exerted all his power of observation to see whether any symptoms betrayed an interest in him on the part of Penelope. But in the brightness of her looks, and the joyousness of her features, no other emotions were visible and no other thoughts could be read. His lordship was convinced that he could not possibly live without her, and he resolved that at all events he would make known his admiration by words as well as by looks. Like all the rest of the world, preferring his own judgment to the advice of any other, he determined that the offer of marriage should be reserved till he should ascertain that no other was likely to succeed. The journey was soon over. They arrived at the Earl of Smatterton's town mansion full two hours before it was likely that Mr Primrose should be in town. Ten thousand thanks were given by the grateful Penelope for the kindness of his lordship, and unnumbered acknowledgments of the goodness and condescension of the Earl and Countess of Smatterton. Such were the joyous feelings of the young lady, that these thanks and acknowledgments were expressed with unusual earnestness and warmth of manner; and such was the modesty of Lord Spoonbill, that for himself and for his right honorable parents he disclaimed all right and title to such a profusion of thanks. "I beg, Miss Primrose," said his modest lordship, "that you will not so overwhelm us with your thanks. We are but too happy in having had it in our power to afford you any little accommodation." "Oh my lord, you are very kind, very kind. But I am almost afraid that I have said or done something to offend her ladyship, the Countess; for, when I took my leave last night, her ladyship spoke to me as in anger. I fear I did wrong in so readily accepting the offer to come to town to meet my father."