Without tarrying any longer, she then signed to her companions, and they all three moved off, followed by the manservant, leaving Atherton quite bewildered. The party walked so rapidly that they were almost instantly out of sight. "If it is not impertinent on my part, may I ask who those young ladies are?" inquired Atherton. "I am not allowed to tell you, my dear fellow," replied the colonel, slightly laughing. "But I dare say you will meet them again." "I must not even ask if they live in Manchester, I suppose?" "I cannot satisfy your curiosity in any particular. I meant to present you to them, but I was forbidden. I may, however, tell you that the young lady nearest me made a flattering observation respecting you." "That is something, from so charming a girl." "Then you discovered that she is beautiful!" "I never beheld such fine eyes." Colonel Townley laughed heartily. "Take care of yourself, my dear boy--take care of yourself," he said. "Those eyes have already done wonderful execution." "One question more, colonel, and I have done. Are they sisters?" "Well, I may answer that. They are not. I thought you must have known the young man who was with them." "I fancied he was Jemmy Dawson. But I own I did not pay much attention to him." "You were engrossed by one object. It was Jemmy Dawson. He is to be one of my officers, and I feel very proud of him, as I shall be of another gallant youth whom I count upon. But I must loiter no longer here. I shall ride to Preston to-night, and proceed to-morrow to Lancaster. Fail not to keep your appointment with Sir Richard Rawcliffe. You will see his daughter, who will put this fair unknown out of your head." "I scarcely think so," replied Atherton. "Well, I shall learn all about it on my return. Adieu!" With this, the colonel struck spurs into his horse and rode quickly across the bridge, followed by his groom, while Atherton, whose thoughts had been entirely changed within the last ten minutes, proceeded towards his lodgings in Deansgate. CHAPTER VIII. BEPPY BYROM. Next morning, in the drawing-room of a comfortable house, situated near the collegiate church, and commanding from its windows a view of that venerable fabric, a family party, consisting of four persons--two ladies and two gentlemen--had assembled after breakfast. Elegantly furnished in the taste of the time, the room was fitted up with japanned cabinets and numerous small brackets, on which china ware and other ornaments were placed. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and a large folding Indian screen was partly drawn round the work-table, beside which the two ladies sat. The gentlemen were standing near the fireplace. The mistress of the house, though no longer young, as will be guessed when we mention that her daughter was turned twenty-one, while her son was some two or three years older, still retained considerable personal attractions, and had a most agreeable expression of countenance.