"I _do_ love you!" Christobelle concealed her face upon his shoulder. They were silent for some moments, but his lips were pressed upon her forehead, and she was in his arms--both too engrossed, with the certainty of being at last happy, to break the deep silence. Christobelle forgot her mother--she forgot Lord Farnborough; she thought not of his errand, or her future anger. She was in a trance:--she thought all reproach--all suffering--all unkindness, had no further power to wound, for she belonged to her lover, and he would shelter her, as he did at that moment, in his beloved embrace. The world without might struggle with deep and mighty commotion--it might drink deeply of the elements of strife, and do battle with the stirring natures of mortality--but _she_ was safe from strife and suffering now. She had given herself, heart and soul, to the man she loved dearer than herself, or aught in creation besides. She was the promised bride of Sir John Spottiswoode! CHAPTER XXVII. Lord Farnborough's mission was speedily developed to Lady Wetheral, as they paced the terrace together. His lordship at once opened the subject, which lay so closely upon his mind's peace, and at once laid his dukedom at Christobelle's feet. "Upon my honour, Lady Wetheral, my respect for your daughter is excessive, and I wish to make known my sentiments at such an early period, because I see I have rivals. Ponsonby is over head and ears in love, and there's no knowing how many more will become so; for her beauty is really something extraordinary. Miss Wetheral is the loveliest creature I have ever seen." "My daughter is flattered by such remarks, my dear lord, and her mother feels proud of such an encomium. She is a treasure to me, in every sense of the word, as she will prove to the man who wins her." "I can offer much more than Ponsonby," continued Lord Farnborough; "and I think, at this very early stage of our acquaintance, an earl's coronet in possession, and a duke's strawberry-leaves in prospect, may perhaps entitle me to her notice beyond the claims of humbler men." "Lord Farnborough may claim a lady's preference upon still higher grounds than mere rank or fortune," said her ladyship, with smiling approbation, and gently pressing his lordship's arm. Lord Farnborough was gratified by the compliment. "It is very soothing, Lady Wetheral, to my feelings, to be assured that my suit is not displeasing to her parents. May I hope Miss Wetheral's affections are disengaged?" "I can answer for my daughter's free heart, my lord. I am sure--indeed, I know her affections are untouched." "You think Ponsonby has not got before me into her good opinion?" "I have authority to say, Captain Ponsonby has not _yet_ succeeded, my dear lord." "Ponsonby has been very successful with the female heart, and I know he was attentive yesterday--but he has nothing to offer. I think Sir John Spottiswoode fluttered round Fanny Ponsonby--nothing _there_, you think, Lady Wetheral?"