returned Nan, blushing a little; "but I really hardly
know any particulars. It is such a surprise to me altogether; but his
mother has written to me, and I am expected down there."

"You have my warmest wishes for your happiness," continued Archie,
gravely; and then Nan thanked him.

But here Dick interrupted them. He was still new to his _role_, and
hardly had the assurance that belongs to the engaged man, who feels
himself safely steering towards the desired haven of matrimony. It
appeared to him that on this evening he ought not to lose sight of Nan
for a moment. To see Mr. Drummond taking his place was too much for
him, and he put down his untasted coffee.

"I am afraid it is rather cold," observed Mattie, anxiously; but she
spoke to deaf ears.

Dick was already half-way to the corner. Nan received him a little
shyly; but Mr. Drummond at once took the hint.

"Oh, Dick, people will notice! you must take care," remonstrated Nan.

She was preparing one of those gentle little lectures to which she
sometimes treated him, and to which he was wont to listen with the
utmost submission; but, to her intense surprise, he turned restive.

"That was all very well when things were not settled between us,"
observed Dick, decidedly. "Now we are engaged, of course I shall
assert my rights publicly. What does it matter if people notice? They
will only think what a lucky fellow I am, and how they would like to
be in my place. Do you think I was going to remain at the other end of
the room while that parson was talking to you?" And then Nan all at
once discovered that, in spite of Dick's boyish looks and easy
temper, she had found her master,--that, like other men, he was
capable of jealousy and insisted on an entire and undivided
allegiance.

Nan was weak enough to like him all the better for this little touch
of tyranny; and, after all, though she felt it a little hard on Mr.
Drummond, who was so harmless and good-natured, the sense of this
monopoly was very sweet to her.

CHAPTER XLVI.

A NEW INVASION OF THE GOTHS.

It was the most successful evening--every one said so; but, somehow,
Mattie had not enjoyed it. She supposed she was tired; that lamp had
worried her; but, though every one had been very pleasant, and had
said nice things to her,--even that formidable Mr. Frere,--Mattie felt
something had been lacking. She had been very pleased to see Sir
Harry, and he had come up to her at once and spoken to her i