lphin heard and groaned audibly.

"And what a devilish handsome girl he is dancing with!" said another
young man, from Oxford.

"Oh, Miss Vernon!--By Jove, Erpingham seems smitten. What a capital
thing it would be for her!"

"And for him, too!" cried the more chivalrous Oxonian.

"Humph!" said the officer.

"I heard," renewed the Oxonian, "that she was to be married to young
Godolphin. He was staying here a short time ago. They rode and walked
together. What a lucky fellow he has been. I don't know any one I should
so much like to see."

"Hush!" said a third person, looking at Godolphin.

Percy moved on. Accomplished and self-collected as he usually was, he
could not wholly conceal the hell within. His brow grew knit and gloomy:
he scarcely returned the salutations he received; and moving out of the
crowd, he stole to a seat behind a large pillar, and, scarcely seen by
any one, fixed his eyes on the form and movements of Miss Vernon.

It so happened that he had placed himself in the vicinity of the Duchess
of Winstoun, and within hearing of the conversation that I am about to
record.

The dance being over, Lord Erpingham led Constance to a seat close by
Lady Margaret Midgecombe. The duchess had formed her plan of attack;
and, rising as she saw Constance within reach, approached her with an
air that affected civility.

"How do you do, Miss Vernon? I am happy to see you looking so well. What
truth in the report, eh?" And the duchess showed her teeth--videlicet,
smiled.

"What report does your grace allude to?"

"Nay, nay; I am sure Lord Erpingham has heard it as well as myself; and
I wish for your sake (a slight emphasis), indeed, for both your sakes,
that it may be true."

"To wait till the Duchess of Winstoun speaks intelligibly would be a
waste of her time and my own," said the haughty Constance, with the
rudeness in which she then delighted, and for which she has since become
known. Rut the duchess was not to be offended until she had completed
her manoeuvre.

"Well, now," said she, turning to Lord Erpingham, "I appeal to you;
is not Miss Vernon to be married very soon to Mr. Godolphin? I am sure
(with an affected good-nature and compassion that stung Constance to the
quick), I am sure I _hope_ so."

"Upon my word you amaze me," said Lord Erpingham, opening to their
fullest extent the large, round, hazel eyes for which he was so justly
celebrated. "I never heard this before."

"Oh! a secret as ye