ou
help loving one so lovable in every way as dear Herbert?"

"Credit! no, there is no credit," she said, not choosing to share her
mother's pleasantry.

"But there is this credit. Had you not been one of the sweetest girls
that ever was born, he would not have loved you."

"He has loved me because there was no one else here," said Clara.

"Nonsense! No one else here, indeed! Has he not the power if he
pleases to go and choose whomever he will in all London. Had he been
mercenary, and wanted money," said the countess, in a tone which
showed how thoroughly she despised any such vice, "he might have
had what he would. But then he could not have had my Clara. But
he has looked for beauty and manners and high-bred tastes, and an
affectionate heart; and, in my opinion, he could not have been more
successful in his search." After which second burst of eloquence, she
again kissed her daughter.

'Twas thus, at that moment, that she congratulated the wife of the
future Sir Herbert Fitzgerald; and then she allowed Clara to go up
to her own room, there to meditate quietly on what she had done, and
on that which she was about to do. But late in the evening, Lady
Desmond, whose mind was thoroughly full of the subject, again broke
out into triumph.

"You must write to Patrick to-morrow, Clara. He must hear the good
news from no one but yourself."

"Had we not better wait a little, mamma?"

"Why, my love? You hardly know how anxious your brother is for your
welfare."

"I knew it was right to tell you, mamma--"

"Right to tell me! of course it was. You could not have had the heart
to keep it from me for half a day."

"But perhaps it may be better not to mention it further till we
know--"

"Till we know what?" said the countess with a look of fear about her
brow.

"Whether Sir Thomas and Lady Fitzgerald will wish it. If they
object--"

"Object! why should they object? how can they object? They are not
mercenary people; and you are an earl's daughter. And Herbert is not
like a girl. The property is his own, entailed on him, and he may do
as he pleases."

"In such a matter I am sure he would not wish to displease either his
father or his mother."

"Nonsense, my dear; quite nonsense; you do not at all see the
difference between a young man and a girl. He has a right to do
exactly as he likes in such a matter. But I am quite sure that they
will not object. Why should they? How can they?"

"Mr. Fitzgerald says that