"Fool! what could it be but one? to be plain, I'll stake my existence my brother has proposed for Ellen's hand--and what is more, I will stake my life she has accepted him," he observed, as the two lovers waltzed past. "What should make you suppose so?" said the other, turning very pale. "Her looks, idiot, her looks; I can read faces well! I was a fool not to see through the Earl's subtilty before. This picnic forsooth! a mere excuse for getting her away to do so--by Heaven! a cunning dodge--but I am a sleuth-hound that can track him out!" "Good Heavens, and what shall we do?" "What, indeed, would you do without me?" answered the Captain; "fear not--I am not empty of resources yet--we must change the plot a bit. I must speak to yonder Italian. But first I will make myself sure; I said I could read faces; see you my sister Florence? I see by her face she has a secret, and I will ferret it out by G--; were it Edith I had harder work!" Just then Lady Florence, with Johnny for her partner, danced past them; she looked lovely as she whirled by, her fair hair floating in the breeze--her face flushed with the exertion--and her blue eyes sparkling with exuberance of joy. "Promise you won't tell," said the fair girl to Johnny, "but Ellen is to be mistress of all these grounds. What do you think, Johnny, of having a sister a countess? But here comes John, you must find another partner; I promised to dance with him. Mind you don't tell any one, Johnny, mind your promise!" Johnny went off and engaged Miss Lennox for the next dance. "Promise not to tell Louisa," said he, "but my sister Ellen is to be a countess!" "Nonsense, Johnny, how will she be one?" "There is no nonsense about it; Lord Wentworth has proposed, and my sister has accepted him--that's how she will be a countess!" "How do you know though?" "Lady Florence told me!" "Then it must be true." "You won't tell though?" "Oh dear no, trust me!" After her dance Louisa, so called after one of the ladies Lennox, made her father her confidant, under the same promise of secrecy. "I always imagined there was something between them," said her father; "I must tell the Duke our cousin." "Oh! papa, you promised." "Nonsense, love--it is safe with the Duke, as it is with me!" In this way the news was quickly spread, and by-and-by every one knew it under promise of secrecy. "Well, John, are you come to claim me for this dance?" said Lady Florence to her brother. "To the devil with dancing, but, Florence, don't be angry, love," he said, in a milder tone, fearing he should frighten her into silence, "but, Florence, have you heard the news?" "What news, John, about Wentworth's proposal?" "Yes," said the Captain, smiling at her indiscretion. "How did you know it--has Edith or Johnny told you?" "No one but your simple self, Floss,--you are a capital secret keeper; I shall get you appointed to be secretary to the King."