ait quietly, till he came. Early the next day, she sent for Mrs.
Cameron, and told her of the appointment Sir Horace had made, and as
she thought it more than probable, the Falkners might accompany him,
as they spoke of doing so over night, she wished her friend to be with
her. But we have already seen that Sir Horace had decidedly expressed
his determination to go alone. Mrs. Cameron was equally perplexed with
Helen, as to his object. She thought perhaps he had mistaken Helen's
likeness, to some one he was attached to in his early years, and
applying her favorite well-founded maxim and belief in an over-ruling
Providence, made up her mind, that however the mistake might be; it
would end in the orphans finding a sincere friend in the Baronet or
the rich Nabob, as the people termed him.

Whatever were the surmises of Sir Horace Mortimer, he was perfectly
satisfied with the result of his private examination of the miniature
for he exclaimed to himself, "God be praised! it must indeed be so,"
saying this, he put it in his pocket, and joined the Falkner family at
breakfast, where the conversation before related, took place.

On his way to Helen's, he met his cousin, and they walked on together.
At length Sir Horace Mortimer asked, "George, my boy do you not begin
to think of marrying; it is in my opinion, high time you should--let
me see; you must be eight and twenty, why you are losing time sadly,
take care I don't get spliced first, as sailors say."

"Why sir, they do say Maria Falkner has certainly made a conquest of
you."

"They do, do they: its very kind of them to settle so important a
point for me. Do you approve the match."

"I think there are many who would make you happier."

"Miss Willoughby, for instance!" said Sir Horace.

"Miss Willoughby! sir."

"Yes, Miss Willoughby, George, what objection? Should I be the first
old man, who has married a young girl? and made her happy too. I
intend to make her a proposal to-day."

"You! sir; you surely don't mean what you say!"

"But I do, though; I was never more in earnest in my life. But, eh,
George! what is the matter? you change colour. You don't want her
yourself? You know you can't marry her and Miss Falkner too."

"I marry Miss Falkner? Never; I would sooner be wedded to--"

"Hold! my boy; I know the workings of that wayward heart of yours,
better than you think; and, therefore, let us understand each other;
at any rate, let me be clearly understood, w