Next there was a general display of pocket-handkerchiefs. Fin gave a hysterical hurrah, and kissed everybody in turn, ending by exclaiming, as she sobbed aloud-- "And now we're all happy!" In fact there were smiles upon every face but Sir Hampton's, and he, feebly saying he did not like it, was left alone as the party adjourned to the drawing-room. "Lady Rea, I have you to thank for this," said Trevor, affectionately. "How am I ever to show it?" "By being very, very, very kind to my darling there," said Lady Rea, pitifully; "for you're a bad, cruel man to come and win away her love." Then, of course, there was a great deal more kissing, ending in a burst of merriment; for Fin dashed, wet-eyed, to the piano, and rattled off, "Haste to the Wedding," running into Mendelssohn's "Wedding March," till Tiny went and closed the instrument. At that moment Edward, the footman, knocked at the door, and entered, saying to Lady Rea-- "If you please, m'lady, Miss Matilda's took bad, and wants the doctor. Who shall I send?" "Gracious, Edward! what is it?" said Lady Rea. "Please, m'lady, they think it's spasms," said the footman. Lady Rea ran out, and the doctor was sent for from St Kitt's; but, by the time he arrived, Aunt Matty's spasms were better. And so Richard Trevor, master of Penreife, became engaged to Valentina Rea, of Tolcarne. Volume 2, Chapter XVI. VERY DREAMY. Trevor heard it afterwards from Fin, how that mamma saw Captain Vanleigh when he called with Sir Felix; Sir Hampton leaving a note, and--so Fin declared--hiding in the gardener's toolhouse till the visit was over; and that she had, at the earnest wish of Sir Felix, seen him in the drawing-room. "Where he made the most downright booby of himself you ever saw," said Fin. And the result was that one morning, after the most elaborate fencing had been going on between Trevor and his guests, one vieing with the other in politeness, Pratt met his old schoolfellow on his return from Tolcarne with-- "Thank goodness, Dick, there's peace in the grove." "What do you mean, Franky?" said Trevor, who was rather uneasy at having heard from Lady Rea that Sir Felix and Vanleigh had been up to the house while he was away with the girls, and had a long interview with Sir Hampton and Aunt Matty. "Mean, Dick? Why, that the telegram has come at last--message from St Kitt's--Vanleigh and Flick wanted directly in town--so sorry couldn't stop to say good-bye, and that sort of thing." "Then they are gone?" "Yes. I ordered round the waggonette; and Mrs Lloyd seems in ecstasies at the clear-out, and is getting ready to bestow a benediction on me-- for I must be off next." "Nonsense, Franky; you are happy enough here." "No, old fellow--this Sybarite's life is spoiling me, and I must go." "Why not follow my example, Franky?" said Trevor, laughing. Pratt shrugged his shoulders, and the matter dropped for the time being.