Starting from these reflections, Mordaunt half-unconsciously rose, and dashing the tears from his eyes, was about to plunge into the neighbouring thicket, when, looking up, he beheld Clarence, now within a few paces of him. He started, and seemed for one moment irresolute whether to meet or shun his advance, but probably deeming it too late for the latter, he banished, by one of those violent efforts with which men of proud and strong minds vanquish emotion, all outward sign of the past agony; and hastening towards his guest, greeted him with a welcome which, though from ordinary hosts it might have seemed cold, appeared to Clarence, who knew his temper, more cordial than he had ventured to anticipate. CHAPTER LXI. Mr father urged me sair, But my mither didna speak, Though she looked into my face, Till my heart was like to break.--Auld Robin Gray. “It is rather singular,” said Lady Westborough to her daughter as they sat alone one afternoon in the music-room at Westborough Park,--“it is rather singular that Lord Ulswater should not have come yet. He said he should certainly be here before three o’clock.” “You know, Mamma, that he has some military duties to detain him at W----,” answered Lady Flora, bending over a drawing in which she appeared to be earnestly engaged. “True, my dear, and it was very kind in Lord ---- to quarter the troop he commands in his native county; and very fortunate that W----, being his head-quarters, should also be so near us. But I cannot conceive that any duty can be sufficiently strong to detain him from you,” added Lady Westborough, who had been accustomed all her life to a devotion unparalleled in this age. “You seem very indulgent, Flora.” “Alas! she should rather say very indifferent,” thought Lady Flora: but she did not give her thought utterance; she only looked up at her mother for a moment, and smiled faintly. Whether there was something in that smile or in the pale cheek of her daughter that touched her we know not, but Lady Westborough was touched: she threw her arms round Lady Flora’s neck, kissed her fondly, and said, “You do not seem well to-day, my love, are you?” “Oh!--very--very well,” answered Lady Flora, returning her mother’s caress, and hiding her eyes, to which the tears had started. “My child,” said Lady Westborough, “you know that both myself and your father are very desirous to see you married to Lord Ulswater,--of high and ancient birth, of great wealth, young, unexceptionable in person and character, and warmly attached to you, it would be impossible even for the sanguine heart of a parent to ask for you a more eligible match. But if the thought really does make you wretched,--and yet,--how can it?” “I have consented,” said Flora, gently; “all I ask is, do not speak to me more of the--the event than you can avoid.” Lady Westborough pressed her hand, sighed, and replied not.