can have had
from them."

"In the first place, it has given me great pleasure to see that you
were able to exert yourself in company, and that the crowd of people
did not annoy you: but I have chiefly been delighted by seeing that you
and Adolphus are such good friends. You must think, Fanny, that I am
anxious about an only brother--especially when we have all had so much
cause to be anxious about him; and don't you think it must be a delight
to me to find that he is able to take pleasure in your society? I
should be doubly pleased, doubly delighted, if I could please him
myself. But I have not the vivacity to amuse him."

"What nonsense, Selina! Don't say that."

"But it's true, Fanny; I have not; and Grey Abbey has become
distasteful to him because we are all sedate, steady people. Perhaps
some would call us dull, and heavy; and I have grieved that it should
be so, though I cannot alter my nature; but you are so much the
contrary--there is so much in your character like his own, before he
became fond of the world, that I feel he can become attached to and
fond of you; and I am delighted to see that he thinks so himself. What
do you think of him, now that you have seen more of him than you ever
did before?"

"Indeed," said Fanny, "I like him very much."

"He is very clever, isn't he? He might have been anything if he had
given himself fair play. He seems to have taken greatly to you."

"Oh yes; we are great friends:" and then Fanny paused--"so great
friends," she continued, looking somewhat gravely in Lady Selina's
face, "that I mean to ask the greatest favour of him that I could ask
of anyone: one I am sure I little dreamed I should ever ask of him."

"What is it, Fanny? Is it a secret?"

"Indeed it is, Selina; but it's a secret I will tell you. I mean to
tell him all I feel about Lord Ballindine, and I mean to ask him to see
him for me. Adolphus has offered to be a brother to me, and I mean to
take him at his word."

Lady Selina turned very pale, and looked very grave as she replied,

"That is not giving him a brother's work, Fanny. A brother should
protect you from importunity and insult, from injury and wrong; and
that, I am sure, Adolphus would do: but no brother would consent to
offer your hand to a man who had neglected you and been refused, and
who, in all probability, would now reject you with scorn if he has the
opportunity--or if not that, will take you for your money's sake. That,
Fanny, is not