a baronet
who dated back from James I. She was the Lady Anna, and therefore
the heiress;--but it was clear to them all that there was to be no
marriage.

"Then poor Lord Lovel will absolutely not have enough to starve
upon," said the baronet's wife to the baronet, as soon as the
carriage door had been shut upon them.

What were they to do with her? The dinner party had taken place on a
Wednesday,--the day after the Earl's departure; and on the Thursday
aunt Julia wrote to her nephew thus:--

Yoxham Rectory, 3rd September.

MY DEAR FREDERIC,

My brother wishes me to write to you and say that we are
all here very uneasy about Lady Anna. We have only heard
from her that the match which was contemplated is not
to take place. Whether that be so from unwillingness on
her part or yours we have never yet been told;--but both
to your aunt Jane and myself she speaks of it as though
the decision were irrevocable. What had we better do?
Of course, it is our most anxious desire,--as it is our
pleasure and our duty,--to arrange everything according
to your wishes and welfare. Nothing can be of so much
importance to any of us in this world as your position in
it. If it is your wish that Lady Anna should remain here,
of course she shall remain. But if, in truth, there is no
longer any prospect of a marriage, will not her longer
sojourn beneath your uncle's roof be a trouble to all of
us,--and especially to her?

Your aunt Jane thinks that it may be only a lover's
quarrel. For myself, I feel sure that you would not have
left us as you did, had it not been more than that. I
think that you owe it to your uncle to write to me,--or to
him, if you like it better,--and to give us some clue to
the state of things.

I must not conceal from you the fact that my brother has
never felt convinced, as you do, that Lady Anna's mother
was, in truth, the Countess Lovel. At your request, and in
compliance with the advice of the Solicitor-General, he
has been willing to receive her here; and, as she has been
here, he has given her the rank which she claims. He took
her out to dinner yesterday before Lady Fitzwarren,--which
will never be forgiven should it turn out ultimately that
the first wife was alive when the Earl married Anna's
mother. Of course, while here she must be treated as Lady
Anna Lovel; but my brother does not wish to b