These visions--sweeping like a gorgeous pageantry through his excited imagination--brought him to that state of mind, in which all regrets were banished--all remorse was forgotten;--and when Perdita returned to the apartment, ready attired for the journey, he flew towards her--he wound his arms around her wasp-like waist, and pressed her enthusiastically to his bosom. This was the first time that he had seen her in a walking-dress;--and he thought that she even appeared more ravishingly beautiful than when in her morning _déshabillée_, or her drawing-room garb. The pink crape bonnet, adorned with artificial flowers, set off her fine countenance with such admirable effect:--the flowing drapery of the elegant summer-shawl meandered over the proportions of the symmetrical form--developing each contour with its wavy undulations:--and the straw-coloured kid gloves, fitting tightly to a fault, described the shape of the beautiful tapering fingers. “You are lovely beyond the loveliness of woman!” murmured Charles Hatfield, surveying her with an admiration the most unfeigned--the most sincere. “And you, Charles--are not you my own handsome, dearly beloved Charles--so soon to be my husband?” asked Perdita. “You said just now that you should be proud to present me as your wife to your friends:--Oh! I feel--yes, I feel that I shall also be proud to be so presented. My mind seems to have undergone a complete change since I made you that promise to wed you at the altar;--and you must forget, dear Charles, that I ever wished it otherwise!” Hatfield, for all answer, impressed a burning kiss upon her rosy lips;--and the young woman’s eyes became soft and melting in expression--voluptuous and languid with desire. At this instant her mother returned, with the announcement that the post-chaise would be at the door in less than a quarter of an hour; and the old woman hastened to the bed-rooms to pack up the trunks. Her daughter, who kept the purse, then gave her the necessary money to liquidate all liabilities due to the landlady of the house; and while this was being done, Perdita placed the gold and Bank-notes in Charles’s hand, saying, “In the excitement of the morning’s incidents I forgot to tender you this amount before.” “Henceforth all that I have is yours equally, my beloved,” said the young man, as he secured the money about his person. The post-chaise-and-four now appeared; and while the trunks were being strapped on to the vehicle, Mrs. Fitzhardinge superintended the process, apparently with the bustling officiousness of an old woman of particular habits, but in reality to prevent any communication between the post-boys and the people of the dwelling;--for she knew how inquisitive lodging-house keepers were apt to be, and that postilions were proportionately communicative.