did
you hear nothing of your little sisters?"

"I did not ask. In truth I was confounded by a proposal that was made to
me. If I will immediately marry my mother's darling, Lady Belle, I may
have leave of absence from her and my regiment, both at once, and go to
meet Mr. Wayland if I like, or at any rate make the grand tour, while
they try to break in my charming bride for me. Of course I said that,
being a married man, nothing should induce me to break the law, nor to
put any lady in such a position; and equally, of course, I was shown a
lawyer's opinion that the transaction was invalid."

"As I always believed," said his uncle. "The ceremony must be repeated
when we find her: though even if you were willing, the other parties are
very ill-advised to press for a marriage without judgment first being
delivered, how far the present is binding. So she wants to send you off
on your travels, does she?"

"She wishes me to go and arrange for her husband's ransom," said the
Major. "I would be ready enough were my child only found, but I believe
government would take it up, he being on his Majesty's service."

"It is a mere device for disposing of you--yes, and of my nephew too,"
said Mr. Belamour. "As for me, we know already her kind plans for
putting me out of reach of interference. I see, she communicated them
to you. Did she ask your cooperation, Major? Ah! certainly, an ingenious
plan for disuniting us. I am the more convinced that she is well aware
of where the poor child is, and that she wishes to be speedy in her
measures."

There is no need to describe the half-frantic vehemence of the young
lover, nor the way in which the father and sister tried to moderate his
transports, though no less wretched themselves.

CHAPTER XXVIII. THE ROUT.

Great troups of people travelled thitherward
Both day and night, of each degree and place.--SPENSER.

Much against their will, Major Delavie and his _soi-disant_ son-in-law
set forth for Lady Belamour's entertainment, thinking no opportunity of
collecting intelligence was to be despised; while she probably wished to
obviate all reports of a misunderstanding as well as to keep them under
her own eye.

The reception rooms were less adorned than the lady's private apartment.
There were pictures on the walls, and long ranks of chairs ranged round,
and card-tables were set out in order. The ladies sat in rows, and the
gentlemen stood in knots and talked, all in