ths has a niece makes those
things up very well; but then she lives at Namptwich, and one couldn't
send to England for it. I had such a quantity of mourning by me, I
didn't get any made up new; else, I think I must have sent for her."

"My dear aunt, I am very unhappy about something, and I want you to
help me. I'm afraid, though, it will give you a great deal of trouble."

"Good gracious, Fanny!--what is it? Is it about poor Harry? I'm sure I
grieved about him more than I can tell."

"No, aunt: he's gone now, and time is the only cure for that grief. I
know I must bear that without complaining. But, aunt, I feel--I think,
that is, that I've used Lord Ballindine very ill."

"Good gracious me, my love! I thought Lord Cashel had managed all
that--I thought that was all settled. You know, he would keep those
horrid horses, and all that kind of thing; and what more could you do
than just let Lord Cashel settle it?"

"Yes, but aunt--you see, I had engaged myself to Lord Ballindine, and I
don't think--in fact--oh, aunt! I did not wish to break my word to Lord
Ballindine, and I am very very sorry for what has been done," and Fanny
was again in tears.

"But, my dear Fanny," said the countess, so far excited as to commence
rising from her seat--the attempt, however, was abandoned, when
she felt the ill effects of the labour to which she was exposing
herself--"but, my dear Fanny--what would you have? It's done, now, you
know; and, really, it's for the best."

"Oh, but, dear aunt, I must get somebody to see him. I've been thinking
about it ever since he was here with my uncle. I wouldn't let him think
that I broke it all off, merely because--because of poor Harry's
money," and Fanny sobbed away dreadfully.

"But you don't want to marry him!" said the naive countess.

Now, Fanny did want to marry him, though she hardly liked saying so,
even to Lady Cashel.

"You know, I promised him I would," said she; "and what will he think
of me?--what must he think of me, to throw him off so cruelly, so
harshly, after all that's past?--Oh, aunt! I must see him again."

"I know something of human nature," replied the aunt, "and if you do, I
tell you, it will end in your being engaged to him again. You know it's
off now. Come, my dear; don't think so much about it: I'm sure Lord
Cashel wouldn't do anything cruel or harsh."

"Oh, I must see him again, whatever comes of it;" and then she paused
for a considerable time, during which th