Lord Frogmore was not, however, so entirely actuated by consideration for his brother as his stepmother thought. He was a man who took, and had taken all his life, very great care of himself. Whatever was his reason for not marrying, it was not on account of his brother John. No doubt he was aware that in all probability his brother would be his heir: but he did not dwell on that thought, or indeed contemplate the necessity of an heir at all. He took great care of his health, which was perfect, and had a system of life which secured him the utmost possible comfort and pleasure with the least possible trouble. A man who has no family to interfere with his liberty, plenty of money, perfect control of his own time and actions, and no duties to speak of, can make himself exceedingly comfortable when he sets his mind to it, and this was what Lord Frogmore had done. He was, however, a little startled but much more amused when John announced to him his intentions. It was at the beginning of the season, before as yet Mr. Parke could have been endangered by any of the blandishments of society, and Lord Frogmore’s mind, which was a very lively one, made a sweep over the country houses at which he knew his brother to have been staying. “Do I know the lady?” he asked, with a twinkle in his eye. He had not a very high opinion of his brother John, in point of intellect at least, and he immediately leapt to the conclusion that it was not John’s intention so much as the lady’s which had decided this important step. “I don’t think so,” said John. “She is of a good family, but very fond of the country, and they don’t come much to town. She is a Miss Ravelstone, of Grocombe--Yorkshire people--perhaps you may never even have heard the name.” “No, I can’t say I have ever heard the name,” said Lord Frogmore, with his face lengthening: for there is this unconscious arrogance in people who belong to what is called society that it seems to them as if it was the same as not to exist at all, if you are not at once recognized and identified by the mention of your name. “No,” said John with something of a blush, “I did not expect you would. Her father has got a nice little estate, but they don’t much mind society. There’s several brothers. I don’t suppose I shall have very much money with her. They’re chiefly a hunting family,” John said. “Well, that is no harm. But it’s a pity if there is no money,” said Lord Frogmore calmly. “You have not money enough yourself to make you independent of that. What do you mean to do?”