"Child," said Nancy, "the young lord hath plainly bewitched thee. Remember, my dear, that a woman must not be won too easily. Can we not break his heart a little?" Lady Levett took occasion to speak to me to the same effect. "Kitty," she said, "I have eyes in my head and can see. Do not encourage the man too much. Yet it would be a grand match, and I should be well content to see a coronet on that pretty head. Still, be not too ready. But he is a handsome fellow, and I believe as good as we can expect of any man in this profligate age. Nay, child, do not change colour: I know nothing against his character, except that he has a town house and that he has lived much in London. But make him feel a little the pangs of love. Listen, or pretend to listen, to the addresses of another man. When my husband came courting me, do you think I said yes all at once? Not so. There were other suitors in the field, let me tell thee, Kitty, as young and as rich as Sir Robert, and of as good a family. To be sure, there was none so good in my eyes. As for one, he rode to hounds all day, and in the evening slept in his chair. He broke his neck jumping a brook when he was but thirty. Another, he drank October all day long, and at night was carried to bed like a log. When he was forty he was taken with a seizure, being still a bachelor, all for love of me and his brown jug, which I think he loved still more. And a third, he was choleric, and used to beat his grooms. Now, my dear, a man who beats his grooms is just as likely to beat his wife. Wherefore, beware of strikers. And a fourth, he was a gambler, and all night over his cards, so that I would have none of him. He lost his estate and went into the Austrian service. There he was run through the body and killed in a duel by a French chevalier, who had first robbed him at faro. But do not think I let my true love know my resolution. I plagued him first, and teased him until he was humble. Then I bade him be happy, and the good man hath been happy ever since." Alas! I could not tease my lord or plague him: I could not coquet with other men, even though Peggy went about saying-- "The silly wretch is in love with him: she shows it in her eyes. Oh the impudence!" CHAPTER IX. HOW LORD CHUDLEIGH WENT TO LONDON. Without telling any one of his intention, Lord Chudleigh posted one morning to town. I was acquainted with this news by Miss Peggy Baker, who informed me of it in her kindest manner. "Dear Miss Pleydell," she said, after morning service, as we were coming out of church, "have you heard the dreadful news?" "I have heard no news," I replied. "We have lost the chief ornament of the company. Yes; you may well turn pale"--I am sure I did nothing of the kind--"Lord Chudleigh has left Epsom--some say for the season: some say on account of some distaste he has conceived for the place: some say on account of previous engagements." "What kind of engagements?"