obliged to be satisfied for the present.  But their walk had not ended, before he gradually drew from the confiding girl an acknowledgment that, should her parents decline his offer, she would be very little less miserable than himself; indeed, the most tenacious lover might have been content with the proofs of regard that Jane, unused to control her feelings, allowed herself to manifest on this occasion.  Egerton was in raptures; a life devoted to her would never half repay her condescension; and as their confidence increased with their walk, Jane re-entered the lodge with a degree of happiness in her heart she had never before experienced.  The much dreaded declaration—­her own distressing acknowledgements, were made, and nothing farther remained but to live and be happy.  She flew into the arms of her mother, and; hiding her blushes in her bosom, acquainted her with the colonel’s offer and her own wishes.  Lady Moseley, who was prepared for such a communication, and had rather wondered at its tardiness, kissed her daughter affectionately, as she promised to speak to her father, and to obtain his approbation.

“But,” she added, with a degree of formality and caution which had better preceded than have followed the courtship, “we must make the usual inquiries, my child, into the fitness of Colonel Egerton as a husband for our daughter.  Once assured of that, you have nothing to fear.”

The baronet was requested to grant an audience to Colonel Egerton, who now appeared as determined to expedite things, as he had been dilatory before.  On meeting Sir Edward, he made known his pretensions and hopes.  The father, who had been previously notified by his wife of what was forthcoming, gave a general answer, similar to the speech of the mother, and the colonel bowed in acquiescence.

In the evening, the Jarvis family favored the inhabitants of the lodge with a visit, and Mrs. Wilson was struck with the singularity of their reception of the colonel.  Miss Jarvis, especially, was rude to both him and Jane, and it struck all who witnessed it as a burst of jealous feeling for disappointed hopes; but to no one, excepting Mrs. Wilson, did it occur that the conduct of the gentleman could be at all implicated in the transaction.  Mr. Benfield was happy to see under his roof again the best of the trio of Jarvises he had known, and something like sociability prevailed.  There was to be a ball, Miss Jarvis remarked, at L——­, the following day, which would help to enliven the scene a little, especially as there were a couple of frigates at anchor, a few miles off, and the officers were expected to join the party.  This intelligence had but little effect on the ladies of the Moseley family; yet, as their uncle desired that, out of respect to his neighbors, if invited, they would go, they cheerfully assented.  During the evening, Mrs. Wilson observed Egerton in familiar conversation with Miss Jarvis; and as she had been notified of his situation with respect to Jane, she determined to watch narrowly into the causes of so singular a change of deportment in the young lady.  Mrs. Jarvis retained her respect for the colonel in full force; and called out to him across the room, a few minutes before she departed—­