“He is here--I have seen him this instant--from his lord, with a message to Mr. Percy, to let him know that there are apartments prepared for him and all his family at Clermont-park; and that he insists upon their not returning this night to the Hills, lest the ladies should be tired.” “Lord Oldborough!” repeated Mrs. Falconer; “Lord Oldborough!--the ladies!--Clermont-park! where none but persons of the first distinction are invited!” “Ay, now you are surprised,” cried the commissioner. “Surprised! beyond all power of expression,” said Mrs. Falconer. “Beyond all power of dissimulation,” she should have said. “Count Altenberg, too, going to hand them to their carriage--going to Clermont-park with them!--I wish to Heaven,” said Mrs. Falconer to herself, “I had never given this unfortunate ball!” Mrs. Falconer was mistaken in this idea. It was not the circumstance of meeting Caroline at a ball that made this impression on Count Altenberg; wherever he had seen her, if he had had opportunity of conversing, and of observing the dignity and simplicity of her manner, the same effect would have been produced--but in fact Mrs. Falconer’s fears, and her daughter’s jealousy, had much magnified the truth. Count Altenberg had not, as they fancied, fallen desperately in love at first sight with Caroline--he had only been pleased and interested sufficiently to make him desirous to see more of her. Caroline, though so much the object of jealousy, had not the slightest idea that she had made a conquest--she simply thought the count’s conversation agreeable, and she was glad that she should see him again at breakfast the next morning. CHAPTER XXVII. Mr. and Mrs. Percy accepted of Lord Oldborough’s invitation. They found apartments prepared for them at Clermont-park, and servants ready to attend, with the officious promptitude with which a great man’s domestics usually wait upon those who are supposed to stand high in their master’s favour.