been the settlement between our two young worthies, when
they first talked over Mr. Harry's love affair. But after George's
conversation with his aunt, and the further knowledge of his family,
which he acquired through the information of that keen old woman of the
world, Mr. Warrington, who was naturally of a sceptical turn, began to
doubt about Lady Maria, as well as regarding her brothers and sister,
and looked at Harry's engagement with increased distrust and alarm. Was
it for his wealth that Maria wanted Harry? Was it his handsome young
person that she longed after? Were those stories true which Aunt
Bernstein had told of her? Certainly he could not advise Harry to
break his word; but he might cast about in his mind for some scheme for
putting Maria's affection to the trial; and his ensuing conduct, which
appeared not very amiable, I suppose resulted from this deliberation.

CHAPTER LVI. Ariadne

My Lord Castlewood had a house in Kensington Square spacious enough to
accommodate the several members of his noble family, and convenient for
their service at the palace hard by, when his Majesty dwelt there. Her
ladyship had her evenings, and gave her card-parties here for such as
would come; but Kensington was a long way from London a hundred years
since, and George Selwyn said he for one was afraid to go, for fear
of being robbed of a night,--whether by footpads with crape over their
faces, or by ladies in rouge at the quadrille-table, we have no means of
saying. About noon on the day after Harry had made his reappearance at
White's, it chanced that all his virtuous kinsfolks partook of breakfast
together, even Mr. Will being present, who was to go into waiting in the
afternoon.

The ladies came first to their chocolate: them Mr. Will joined in his
court suit; finally, my lord appeared, languid, in his bedgown and
nightcap, having not yet assumed his wig for the day. Here was news
which Will had brought home from the Star and Garter last night, when he
supped in company with some men who had heard it at White's and seen it
at Ranelagh!

"Heard what? seen what?" asked the head of the house, taking up his
Daily Advertiser.

"Ask Maria!" says Lady Fanny. My lord turns to his elder sister, who
wears a face of portentous sadness, and looks as pale as a tablecloth.

"'Tis one of Will's usual elegant and polite inventions," says Maria.

"No," swore Will, with several of his oaths; "it was no invention of
his.