"My dear love, Lord Farnborough requests the honour of your attention for a few moments: I have promised that you will join his lordship on the terrace. Your instant acquiescence will oblige me, Bell." Sir John Spottiswoode quitted the room. She continued--"It is a relief to lose sight of one's friends for a few minutes; I wish Spottiswoode had found amusement elsewhere. Hasten, my dear girl, and meet me after your little consultation in my room. I won't say a word till you rejoin me; but, my dear child, this is the very happiest hour in my existence--a happier hour than when my Julia told me she had won Ennismore. My wish, Bell, has been gloriously fulfilled; every thing has crowned that wish, without an effort. I am a proud and happy mother!" "Oh, mamma," cried Christobelle, kneeling before her, "do not misunderstand me, and do not hope against hope. I cannot marry Lord Farnborough!" "Do not rouse me into anger, Bell, as you hope for peace in this world; and do not let me find you a mean-minded creature, content to live in insignificance. Go instantly, and meet Lord Farnborough." "I cannot go, mamma; I have no affections to bestow upon Lord Farnborough--do not let me meet him! Tell him, I deplore his disappointment, if it proves such--but I cannot see him!" Lady Wetheral's face turned pale as marble, as she caught Christobelle's hand, and dragged her forward. "Tell me only that you are thinking of Captain Ponsonby, to break my heart at once, Bell!" "Oh, no, not Ponsonby--I care not for Captain Ponsonby, mamma: but do not look so pale and angry--you terrify me!" "So you have led me into error--deceived my hopes--and destroyed me, while you sought the love of Spottiswoode! Is that truly so? Is it Spottiswoode you love?" Christobelle shrank from her grasp in terror. Lady Wetheral's face and manner became fearfully changed; she caught the back of a chair to support herself. "Bell, I have answered for your dutiful submission to my wishes. I have promised for you--I have told Lord Farnborough you are free. Go to him, and say that I spoke in truth. A dukedom, Bell!--a dukedom!--my last, my only child, a dukedom is offered you!" Christobelle sat in terrified silence: she could not endure to see her mother suffer, but she had no consolation to offer. Lady Wetheral approached her, and took her cold hands in hers. "Bell, a child never yet prospered that gave pain to her parent, and now you can raise me into happiness by your obedience. To see my daughter a duchess--a duchess, moving in stately magnificence, is the dearest wish of my heart. It has been my hope, ever since your first introduction to Lord Farnborough--my dearest project by day and by night, my earthly contemplation for many days! Go to him, Bell, for I have answered for you, and you _will_ go; think better of it, think of your future regrets, when repentance will come too late! Go to Lord Farnborough, I command you, Bell."