e bewildered old lady was
thinking what she could do to relieve her sensitive niece. "Dear, dear
aunt, I don't want to deceive you!" and Fanny, springing up, knelt at
her aunt's feet, and looked up into her face. "I do love him--I always
loved him, and I cannot, cannot quarrel with him." And then she burst
out crying vehemently, hiding her face in the countess's lap.

Lady Cashel was quite overwhelmed. Fanny was usually so much more
collected than herself, that her present prostration, both of
feeling and body, was dreadful to see. Suppose she was to go into
hysterics--there they would be alone, and Lady Cashel felt that she had
not strength to ring the bell.

"But, my dear Fanny! oh dear, oh dear, this is very dreadful!--but,
Fanny--he's gone away now. Lift up your face, Fanny, for you frighten
me. Well, I'm sure I'll do anything for you. Perhaps he wouldn't mind
coming back again,--he always was very good-natured. I'm sure I always
liked Lord Ballindine very much,--only he would have all those horses.
But I'm sure, if you wish it, I should be very glad to see him marry
you; only, you know, you must wait some time, because of poor Harry;
and I'm sure I don't know how you'll manage with Lord Cashel."

"Dear aunt--I want you to speak to Lord Cashel. When I was angry
because I thought Frank didn't come here as he might have done, I
consented that my uncle should break off the match: besides, then, you
know, we should have had so little between us. But I didn't know then
how well I loved him. Indeed, indeed, aunt, I cannot bring my heart to
quarrel with him; and I am quite, _quite_ sure he would never wish to
quarrel with me. Will you go to my uncle--tell him that I've changed my
mind; tell him that I was a foolish girl, and did not know my mind. But
tell him I _must_ be friends with Frank again."

"Well, of course I'll do what you wish me,--indeed, I would do anything
for you, Fanny, as if you were one of my own; but really, I don't
know--Good gracious! What am I to say to him? Wouldn't it be better,
Fanny, if you were to go to him yourself?"

"Oh, no, aunt; pray do you tell him first. I couldn't go to him;
besides, he would do anything for you, you know. I want you to go
to him--do, now, dear aunt--and tell him--not from me, but from
yourself--how very, very much I--that is, how very very--but you will
know what to say; only Frank must, _must_ come back again."

"Well, Fanny, dear, I'll go to Lord Cashel; or, perha