n do for you. I was speaking to Arabella about it last night;
she quite approves my idea. You remember the De Mowbrays? Well, we are
going to stay at Mowbray Castle, and you are to go with us. It is the
first time they have received company since their great loss. Ah! you
were abroad at the time, and so you are behind hand. Lord Mowbray's
only son, Fitz-Warene, you remember him, a deuced clever fellow, he died
about a year ago, in Greece, of a fever. Never was such a blow! His
two sisters, Lady Joan and Lady Maud, are looked upon as the greatest
heiresses in the kingdom; but I know Mowbray well; he will make an
eldest son of his eldest daughter. She will have it all; she is one of
Arabella's dearest friends; and you are to marry her."

Egremont stared at his brother, who patted him on the back with an
expression of unusual kindness, and adding, "You have no idea what
a load this has taken off my mind, my dear Charles; so great has my
anxiety always been about you, particularly of late. To see you lord of
Mowbray Castle will realize my fondest hopes. That is a position fit for
a man, and I know none more worthy of it than yourself, though I am your
brother who say so. Now let us come and speak to Arabella about it."

So saying, Lord Marney, followed somewhat reluctantly by his brother,
advanced to the other end of the drawing-room, where his wife was
employed with her embroidery-frame, and seated next to her young friend,
Miss Poinsett, who was playing chess with Captain Grouse, a member of
the chess club, and one of the most capital performers extant.

"Well, Arabella," said Lord Marney, "it is all settled; Charles agrees
with me about going to Mowbray Castle, and I think the sooner we go the
better. What do you think of the day after to-morrow? That will suit me
exactly, and therefore I think we had better fix on it. We will consider
it settled."

Lady Marney looked embarrassed, and a little distressed. Nothing
could be more unexpected by her than this proposition; nothing more
inconvenient than the arrangement. It was very true that Lady Joan
Fitz-Warene had invited them to Mowbray, and she had some vague
intention, some day or other, of deliberating whether they should avail
themselves of this kindness; but to decide upon going, and upon going
instantly, without the least consultation, the least inquiry as to the
suitableness of the arrangement, the visit of Miss Poinsett abruptly
and ungraciously terminated, for