dear, darling niece, and promised her
to love her husband, and to make him a purse if she could get Griffiths
to teach her that new stitch; it looked so easy she was sure she could
learn it, and it wouldn't tease her eyes. Lady Selina also wished her
joy; but she did it very coldly, though very sensibly.

"Believe me, my dear Fanny, I am glad you should have the wish of your
heart. There were obstacles to your union with Lord Ballindine, which
appeared to be insurmountable, and I therefore attempted to wean you
from your love. I hope he will prove worthy of that love, and that you
may never have cause to repent of your devotion to him. You are going
greatly to increase your cares and troubles; may God give you strength
to bear them, and wisdom to turn them to advantage!"

The earl made a very long speech to her, in which there were but few
pauses, and not one full stop. Fanny was not now inclined to quarrel
with him; and he quite satisfied himself that his conduct, throughout,
towards his ward, had been dignified, prudent, consistent, and
disinterested.

These speeches and congratulations all occurred during the period of Mr
Armstrong's visit, and Fanny heard nothing more about her lover, till
the third morning after that gentleman's departure; the earl announced
then, on entering the breakfast-room, that he had that morning received
a communication from Lord Ballindine, and that his lordship intended
reaching Grey Abbey that day in time for dinner.

Fanny felt herself blush, but she said nothing; Lady Selina regretted
that he had had a very wet day yesterday, and hoped he would have a
fine day to-day; and Lady Cashel was overcome at the reflection that
she had no one to meet him at dinner, and that she had not yet suited
herself with a cook.

"Dear me," exclaimed her ladyship; "I wish we'd got this letter
yesterday; no one knows now, beforehand, when people are coming. I'm
sure it usen't to be so. I shall be so glad to see Lord Ballindine; you
know, Fanny, he was always a great favourite of mine. Do you think,
Selina, the O'Joscelyns would mind coming again without any notice? I'm
sure I don't know--I would not for the world treat Lord Ballindine
shabbily; but what can I do, my dear?"

"I think, my lady, we may dispense with any ceremony now, with Lord
Ballindine," said the earl. "He will, I am sure, be delighted to be
received merely as one of the family. You need not mind asking the
O'Joscelyns to-day."

"Do