Therewith carriages were being announced to the heads of families; and with compliments and eager thanks, and assurances that nothing could have been more delightful, the party broke up.

Captain Duncombe, while muffling his boys, declared that he never saw a cleverer hit in his life, and that those two De Lancey brothers ought to be on the stage; while Miss Moy loudly demanded whether he did not feel it personal; and Mrs. Tallboys, gracefully shaking hands with Anne and Rosamond, declared it a grand challenge where the truth had been unconsciously hit off.  Cecil was nowhere to be seen.

CHAPTER XVIII Demonstrations

Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.—­BURNS

The hours of the soiree had been early; but the breakfast was so irregular and undecided as to time, that no one took much notice of an intimation which Jenkins had received from the grim Mrs. Grindstone that Mrs, Charnock Poynsett would take breakfast in her own room.  Indeed, they all felt glad that her views of etiquette did not bind them to their places; for Frank was burning to be off to Sirenwood, forgetting that it was far easier to be too early than too late for Sir Harry Vivian, who was wont to smoke till long after midnight, and was never visible till the midday repast.

And thus it was Lady Tyrrell who came to Frank alone.  “Early afoot,” she said; “you foolish, impatient fellow!  You will outrun my best advice.”

“Ah! but I’m armed.  I always told you we might trust to my mother, and it is all right.  She loves Lenore with all her heart, and consents freely and gladly.”

“Indeed!  Well, the dear child has made her conquest!”

“I always knew she would when once reserve was broken down.”

“Did you get up the alarm on purpose?”

“Really, one would think I had done so.  One such moment was worth years of ordinary meetings!  Half the battle is won!”

“Have you seen your mother this morning?”

“No; but she knew I was coming.”

“Then you do not know what her feelings are on cooler reflection?”

“My mother would never retract what she has once assured me of,” said Frank, haughtily.

“Forgive me—­of what has she assured you?”

“That she regards Eleonora as a dear daughter, and that implies doing the same for me as for my brothers.  If Sir Harry would but be so good as to come and see her—­’

“Stay, Frank, you have not come that length.  You forget that if you have, as you say, gained half the battle, there is another half; and that my father very reasonably feels hurt at being the last to be favoured with the intelligence.”

“Dear Lady Tyrrell, you can see how it was.  There was no helping it when once I could speak to Lenore; and then no one would have let me utter a word till I had gone through the examination.  We never meant to go on a system of concealment; but you know how every one would have raved and stormed if I had betrayed a thought beyond old Driver, and yet it was only being at rest about Lenore that carried me through without breaking down.  Can’t you see?”