“'But be serious, and tell me how far am I the cause of all this.' “'The whole cause of it,--at least, so far as present events can reveal.' “'How they must abhor me!' said I, half involuntarily. “'_Avec les circonstances atténuantes_,' said she, smiling again. “'How so?--what do you mean?' “'Why, that my Lady is thankful at heart for a good excuse to get away,--such a pretext as Mr. Martin himself cannot oppose. Repton, the Grand Vizier, counsels economy, and, like all untravelled people, fancies France and Italy cheap to live in; and Miss Mary is, perhaps, not sorry with the prospect of the uncontrolled management of the whole estate.' “'And is she to live here alone?' “'Yes; she is to be sole mistress of Cro' Martin, and without even a governess, since Miss Henderson is to accompany her Ladyship as private secretary, minister of the household, and, in fact, any other capacity you may please in flattery to assign her. And now, Mr. Massingbred, that I have, not over-discreetly, perhaps, adventured to talk of family arrangements to a stranger, will you frankly ac-knowledge that your pride, or self-love, or any other quality of the same nature, is rather gratified than otherwise at all the disturbance you have caused here? Don't you really feel pleased to think that you have revolutionized a little neighborhood, broken up a society, severed the ties that bound proprietor and peasant, and, in fact, made a very pretty chaos, out of which may come anything or everything?' “'When you address such a question as this to me, you don't expect an answer. Indeed, the query itself is its own reply,' said I. “'Well said, sir, and with consummate temper, too. Certainly, Mr. Massingbred, you possess one great element of success in public life.' “'Which is--' “'To bear with equanimity and cool forbearance the impertinences of those you feel to be your inferiors.' “'But it is not in this light I regard Miss Henderson, be assured,' said I, with earnestness; 'and if I have not replied to her taunts, it is not because I have not felt them.' “I thought I detected a very faint flush on her cheek as I said this, and certainly her features assumed a more serious expression than before. “'Will you let me speak to you of what is far nearer my heart?' said I, in a low voice,--'far nearer than all this strife and war of politics? And will you deign to believe that what I say is prompted by whatever I know in myself of good or hopeful?' “'Say on,--that is, if I ought to hear it,' said she, coldly. “Deterred a second or two by her manner, I rallied quickly, and with an ardor of which I cannot convey an impression, much less explain,--one of those moments of rhapsody, _you 'd_ call it,--poured forth a warm declaration of love. Aye, Harry, sincere, devoted love!--a passion which, in mastering all the common promptings of mere worldly advantage and self-interest, had really inspired me with noble thoughts and high aspirations.