"Well then, my dear ladi, _il faut prendre son partie_; and since it is impossible you should have him always _à vos trousses_, what think you of making a little excursion with me to _Les Eaux de Barèges_, or to Spa, for two or three months in the _belle saison_? This would, I should think, exactly suit you: it will refresh your beauty, refit your _toilette, et vous reviendrez entièrement renouvellée. On se ressent de la fumée de Londres._ It is quite necessary to go away; and a _villegiatura_ in England is so dull!" "What, go abroad!" said Lady Glenmore with unfeigned surprise. "_Vous êtes impayable_," rejoined Lady Tenderden, "_comme j'ai souvent eu l'honneur de vous dire_. One would imagine you lived a hundred years ago, when people talked of going abroad as they would of going to the moon;--but, now, abroad is at home. _Allons!_ I will not allow you to hesitate. Leave me to settle the matter with Glenmore. I will arrange every thing; and he shall come and meet you, and bring you home, in case I choose to pass the winter at Paris." Lady Glenmore had not the least idea that her husband would think of consenting to this proposal, but gave a sort of half acquiescence, more to escape from Lady Tenderden's persecuting entreaties, than from any wish to realize the scheme; and she was quite astonished, some days afterwards, to find Lord Glenmore of opinion that this plan would be the pleasantest thing in the world for her, the best adapted to recruit her health, and in all ways the most eligible. Half grieved at the thoughts of absence from him, half gratified at his eager desire to procure her a pleasure, and persuaded at length by his solicitations to try the remedy of change of air for the languor which had of late appeared to have affected her naturally good constitution,--the wish too of yielding implicit obedience to his will,--all combined to determine to consent; and she finally agreed to the proposed excursion, which was soon followed by preparations and arrangements for their departure to Barèges. CHAPTER XI. MARRIAGE MANŒUVRES. While events thus intimately connected with Lady Glenmore's happiness were silently progressing, Lord Albert D'Esterre's mind was engrossed and torn by a thousand contending feelings of a nature wholly different, but not less fatally destructive of his peace. After recovering from the violence of the first shock which Lady Dunmelraise's sudden departure had occasioned, he had remained torpid and incapable of action: then again, inwardly harassed by the most lively anxiety, he had awaited, with an agony of suspense which none can know save those who have experienced how "hope deferred maketh the heart sick," the communication which he felt Lady Dunmelraise could not possibly long delay, relative to Lady Adeline.