“But I don’t love him, mamma—­indeed.”

“I am glad to hear it,” said the mother, coldly.  “I rejoice that my daughters are too well brought up to love any one—­that is—­of course—­till they are engaged; during that short interval, it is right enough—­in moderation; though, even then, it is much more comfortable to continue perfectly indifferent.  Persons of feeling are always vulgar, and only fit for clergymen’s wives.”

     “But Sir Stratford, mamma”——­

     “Has twenty thousand a-year, and is in very good society.  He
     almost lives with the Rosleys.  The Duke has been trying to get
     him for his son-in-law for a whole year.”

     “And Lady Mary so beautiful, too?”

     “I believe, my dear, Lady Mary’s affections, as they are
     called, are engaged.”

     “Indeed?” enquired the daughter, for curiosity in such subjects
     exists even in the midst of one’s own distresses.

     “May I ask who has gained Lady Mary’s heart?”

“I believe it is that young Mr Lawleigh, a cousin of the Duchess—­old Lord Berville’s nephew; you’ve seen him here—­a quiet, reserved young man.  I saw nothing in him, and I understand he is very poor.”

     “And does—­does Mr Lawleigh—­like—­love—­Lady Mary?” enquired
     Alice with difficulty.

“He never honoured me with his confidence,” replied the Countess—­“but I suppose he does—­of course he does—­Sir Stratford, indeed, told me so—­and he ought to know, for he is his confidant.”

“He keeps the secret well,” said Lady Alice with a slight tone of bitterness; “and Mr Lawleigh could scarcely be obliged to him if he knew the use he makes of his confidence—­and Lady Mary still less”—­she added.

“Why, if girls will be such fools as to think they have hearts, and then throw them away, they must make up their minds to be laughed at.  Lady Mary is throwing herself away—­her inamorato is still at Rosley House.”

     It was lucky the Countess did not perceive the state of
     surprise with which her communication was received.

     Lady Alice again placed her cheek upon her hand, and sank into
     a deeper reverie than ever.

“Sir Stratford also is at Rosley, and if he rides over this evening, I have given orders for him to be admitted.  You will conduct yourself as I wish.  Come, Matilda, let us leave your sister to her happy thoughts.”

Her happy thoughts! the Lady Alice was not one of those indifferent beings panegyrized by the Countess; she had given her whole heart to Henry Lawleigh—­and now to hear that he loved another!  She gazed along the magnificent park, and longed for the solitude and silence of the wilderness beyond.  There, any where but in that sickening room, where the communication had been made to her, she would breath freer.