y what had been taken
away, not by what had been laid on. He was as natural as a bird, and as
graceful and unembarrassed. He neither forced conversation, nor pressed
the little attentions of the drawing-room, and his attitudes were full
of repose; yet she was completely absorbed in what he said, and she had
been impressed imperceptibly with his high-bred politeness, and the
singular elegance of his person. Fanny felt there was a change in her
relative position to her cousin. In what it consisted, or which had the
advantage, she was perplexed to discover--but she bit her lips as she
caught herself thinking that if she were not engaged to marry Philip
Ballister, she should suspect that she had just fallen irrecoverably in
love with him.

It would have been a novelty in the history of Miss Bellairs that any
event to which she had once consented, should admit of reconsideration;
and the Ballister family, used to her strong will, were confirmed
fatalists as to the coming about of her ends and aims. Her marriage
with Philip, therefore, was discussed, _coeur ouvert_, from his first
arrival, and, indeed, in her usual fashion of saving others the trouble
of making up their minds, "herself had named the day." This, it is
true, was before his landing, and was, then, an effort of considerable
magnanimity, as the expectant Penelope was not yet advised of her
lover's state of preservation or damages by cares and keeping. If
Philip had not found his wedding-day fixed on his arrival, however, he
probably would have had a voice in the naming of it, for, with Fanny's
new inspirations as to his character, there had grown up a new flower
in her garden of beauties--timidity! What bird of the air had sown the
seed in such a soil was a problem to herself--but true it was!--the
confident belle had grown a blushing trembler! She would as soon have
thought of bespeaking her wings for the sky, as to have ventured on
naming the day in a short week after.

The day _was_ named, however, and the preparations went on--_nem.
con._--the person most interested (after herself) accepting every
congratulation and allusion, touching the event, with the most
impenetrable suavity. The marbles and pictures, upholstery and
services, were delivered over to the order of Miss Bellairs, and
Philip, disposed, apparently, to be very much a recluse in his rooms,
or, at other times, engrossed by troops of welcoming friends, saw much
less of his bride elect than suited