uch as it was, her consent was here formally announced. How
eagerly George ran away to Soho with the long-desired news in his
pocket! I suppose our worthy friends there must have read his news in
his countenance--else why should Mrs. Lambert take her daughter's hand
and kiss her with such uncommon warmth, when George announced that
he had received letters from home? Then, with a break in his voice, a
pallid face, and a considerable tremor, turning to Mr. Lambert, he said:
"Madam Esmond's letter, sir, is in reply to one of mine, in which I
acquainted her that I had formed an attachment in England, for which I
asked my mother's approval. She gives her consent, I am grateful to say,
and I have to pray my dear friends to be equally kind to me."

"God bless thee, my dear boy!" says the good General, laying a hand on
the young man's head. "I am glad to have thee for a son, George. There,
there, don't go down on your knees, young folks! George may, to be sure,
and thank God for giving him the best little wife in all England. Yes,
my dear, except when you were ill, you never caused me a heartache--and
happy is the man, I say, who wins thee!"

I have no doubt the young people knelt before their parents, as was the
fashion in those days; and am perfectly certain that Mrs. Lambert kissed
both of them, and likewise bedewed her pocket-handkerchief in the most
plentiful manner. Hetty was not present at this sentimental scene, and
when she heard of it, spoke with considerable asperity, and a laugh that
was by no means pleasant, saying: "Is this all the news you have to give
me? Why, I have known it these months past. Do you think I have no eyes
to see, and no ears to hear, indeed?" But in private she was much
more gentle. She flung herself on her sister's neck, embracing her
passionately, and vowing that never, never would Theo find any one to
love her like her sister. With Theo she became entirely mild and humble.
She could not abstain from her jokes and satire with George, but he was
too happy to heed her much, and too generous not to see the cause of her
jealousy.

When all parties concerned came to read Madam Esmond's letter, that
document, it is true, appeared rather vague. It contained only a promise
that she would receive the young people at her house, and no sort
of proposal for a settlement. The General shook his head over the
letter--he did not think of examining it until some days after the
engagement had been made betwee