s, however, they had to meet him at a very splendid party,
given with all the resources of the Burford family at their villa, when
the county folks, who had no small curiosity to see the new peer, were
invited in full force, and the poor peer felt capable of fewer words than
ever to throw at them.

Lady Kenton ventured on asking Mrs. Burford to introduce her to Miss
Marshall, taking such presence for granted.

'Oh, Lady Kenton, really now I did not think that foolish affair should
be encouraged. It is such an unfortunate thing for him; and as Miss Lang
and I agreed, it would be so much better for both of them if it were
given up.'

'Is there anything against her?'

'Oh no, not at all; only that, poor thing, she is quite unfitted for the
position, and between ourselves, in the condition of the property, it is
really incumbent on his Lordship to marry a lady of fortune. At his age
he cannot afford romance,' she added with a laugh, being in fact rather
inferior to her husband in tone, or perhaps in manners. Indeed, she was
of all others the person who most shrivelled up the man whom she had
always treated like a poor dependent, till her politeness became still
more embarrassing. Among all the party, Sir Edward and Lady Kenton were
those with whom he was most nearly at ease, for they had nothing to
revoke in their manners towards him, and could, without any change, treat
him as an equal whom they respected; nor did they try to force him
forward into general conversation--as did his host--with the best
intentions.

Lady Kenton, under cover of Miss Burford's piano, asked him whether she
might call on Miss Marshall, and saw him flush with gratitude and
pleasure, as he answered, 'It will be very kind in you.'

Lady Kenton knew enough of the ways of the school to understand when to
make her visit, so as to have a previous conversation with Miss Lang,
whom of course she already knew. That lady received her in one of the
drawing-rooms, the folding doors into the other were shut.

'I have told Miss Marshall,' said Miss Lang, 'that the room is always at
her service to receive Lord Northmoor, though, in fact, he never comes
till after business hours.'

'He is behaving very well.'

'Very honourably indeed; but poor Miss Marshall is in a very distressing
position.'

'Indeed! Is she not very happy in his constancy?'

'She is in great doubt and difficulty,' said Miss Lang, 'and we really
hardly know how to advise her.