In spite of all her manoeuvres Mr. Downe Wright contrived to be next her, and whenever she changed her seat, she was sure of his following her.  She had also the mortification of overhearing Lady Juliana tell the Duke that Mr. Downe Wright was the accepted lover of her youngest daughter, that he was a man of large fortune, and heir to his uncle, Lord Glenallan!

“Ah! a nephew of my Lord Glenallan’s!—­Indeed—­a pretty young man—­like the family!—­Poor Lord Glenallan!  I knew him very well.  He has had the palsy since then, poor man—­ah!”

The following day Mary was compelled to receive Mrs. Downe Wright’s visit; but she as scarcely conscious of what passed, for Colonel Lennox arrived at the same time; and it was equally evident that his visit was also intended for her.  She felt that she ought to appear unconcerned in his presence, and he tried to be so; but still the painful idea would recur that he had been solicited to love her, and, unskilled in the arts of even innocent deception, she could only try to hide the agitation under the coldness of her manner.

“Come, Mary,” cried Lady Emily, as if in answer to something Colonel Lennox had addressed to her in a low voice, “do you remember the promise I made Colonel Lennox, and which it rests with you to perform?”

“I never consider myself bound to perform the promises of others,” replied Mary gravely.

“In some cases that may be a prudent resolution, but in the present it is surely an unfriendly one,” said Colonel Lennox.

“A most inhuman one!” cried Lady Emily, “since you and I, it seems, cannot commence our friendship without something sentimental to set us agoing.  It rests with you, Mary, to be the founder of our friendship; and if you manage the matter well, that is, sing in your best manner, we shall perhap, make it a triple alliance, and admit you as third.”

“As every man is said to be the artificer of his own fortune, so every one, I think, had best be the artificer of their own friendship,” said Mary, trying to smile, as she pulled her embroidery frame towards her, and began to work.

“Neither can be the worse of a good friend to help them on,” observed Mrs. Downe Wright.

“But both may be materially injured by an injudicious one,” said Colonel Lennox; “and although, on this occasion, I am the greatest sufferer by it, I must acknowledge the truth of Miss Douglas’s observation.  Friendship and love, I believe, will always be found to thrive best when left to themselves.”

“And so ends my novel, elegant, and original plan for striking up a sudden friendship,” cried Lady Emily.  “Pray, Mr. Downe Wright, can you suggest anything better for the purpose than an old song?”

Mr. Downe Wright, who was not at all given to suggesting, looked a little embarrassed.