"Well," he broke in suddenly; "and how do you get on with Selina Marchmont." "She is very, very kind. But O! here we are in her street, and I shall have no more of you to-day." "Not at dinner?" "O; it is a great, horrid party, as Mrs. Lyddell should have warned you." "Could not I take you in to dinner?" "I am afraid not. Mrs. Lyddell will never treat me as if I was at home, and I am afraid there is an honourable man that I must be bestowed on." They had reached Lady Marchmont's door, and going up stairs, found her looking like a princess in a fairy tale, in her white plumes and her diamonds; and Willie, the smallest, most delicate, and prettiest of little boys, admiring the splendours of his papa's yeomanry uniform. In spite of being considerably provoked with Edmund for having come home, Lord and Lady Marchmont welcomed him with as much warmth as if it was the most prudent thing he could have done. They insisted on his coming to stay at their house, and as it was full time to set off, left him to see about his worldly goods being transported thither. "Has he told you his reason, Marian?" asked Selina, as soon as the two ladies and their trains were safely disposed of, in the carriage. "I know them," said Marian, her colour rising, "and most noble they are; but I had rather let him tell you himself." "Marian's discretion again," said Lord Marchmont, smiling. "Only set me at rest on one point," said Selina; "it is no love affair, I hope?" "No, indeed," said Marian; "or do you think he would have told me?" Probably there were few young ladies who played their part that day in the drawing-room, that last remnant of the ancient state and majesty of our courts, with happier minds, or less intent on their own appearance, than Marian Arundel. She was very glad when the bustle and crowd were over, and she could be alone to enjoy the certainty that Edmund was really at home again.