e his views regarding her. He departed to
dress, absolutely troubled in his conscience.

And what were Fanny's thoughts about her cousin? She was much surprised
and gratified, but at the same time somewhat flustered and overwhelmed,
by the warmth and novelty of his affection. However, she never for a
moment doubted his truth towards her, or had the slightest suspicion of
his real object. Her chief thought was whether she could induce him to
be a mediator for her, between Lord Cashel and Lord Ballindine.

During the next two days he spoke to her a good deal about her
brother--of whom, by-the-bye, he had really known nothing. He
contrived, however, to praise him as a young man of much spirit and
great promise; then he spoke of her own large fortune, asked her what
her wishes were about its investment, and told her how happy he would
be to express those wishes at once to Lord Cashel, and to see that they
were carried out. Once or twice she had gradually attempted to lead the
conversation to Lord Ballindine, but Kilcullen was too crafty, and had
prevented her; and she had not yet sufficient courage to tell him at
once what was so near her heart.

"Fanny," said Lady Selina, one morning, about a week after the general
arrival of the company at Grey Abbey, and when some of them had taken
their departure, "I am very glad to see you have recovered your
spirits: I know you have made a great effort, and I appreciate and
admire it."

"Indeed, Selina, I fear you are admiring me too soon. I own I have
been amused this week past, and, to a certain degree, pleased; but I
fear you'll find I shall relapse. There's been no radical reform; my
thoughts are all in the same direction as they were."

"But the great trial in this world is to behave well and becomingly
in spite of oppressive thoughts: and it always takes a struggle to do
that, and that struggle you've made. I hope it may lead you to feel
that you may be contented and in comfort without having everything
which you think necessary to your happiness. I'm sure I looked forward
to this week as one of unmixed trouble and torment; but I was very
wrong to do so. It has given me a great deal of unmixed satisfaction."

"I'm very glad of that, Selina, but what was it? I'm sure it could not
have come from poor Mrs Ellison, or the bishop's wife; and you seemed
to me to spend all your time in talking to them. Virtue, they say, is
its own reward: I don't know what other satisfaction you