was fortunate, because
it permitted him to retire before the death of Lord Grandison became
generally known, and consequently commented upon and enquired into.
Previous to quitting the garrison, Ferdinand had settled his affairs for
the time without the slightest difficulty, as he was still able to raise
any money that he required.

On arriving at Falmouth, Ferdinand learnt that his father and mother
were at Bath, on a visit to his maiden aunt, Miss Grandison, with whom
his cousin now resided. As the regiment was quartered at Exeter, he was
enabled in a very few days to obtain leave of absence and join them. In
the first rapture of meeting all disappointment was forgotten, and in
the course of a day or two, when this sentiment had somewhat subsided,
Ferdinand perceived that the shock which his parents must have
necessarily experienced was already considerably softened by
the prospect in which they secretly indulged, and which various
circumstances combined in inducing them to believe was by no means a
visionary one.

His cousin Katherine was about his own age; mild, elegant, and pretty.
Being fair, she looked extremely well in her deep mourning. She was
not remarkable for the liveliness of her mind, yet not devoid of
observation, although easily influenced by those whom she loved, and
with whom she lived. Her maiden aunt evidently exercised a powerful
control over her conduct and opinions; and Lady Armine was a favourite
sister of this maiden aunt. Without, therefore, apparently directing
her will, there was no lack of effort from this quarter to predispose
Katherine in favour of her cousin. She heard so much of her cousin
Ferdinand, of his beauty, and his goodness, and his accomplishments,
that she had looked forward to his arrival with feelings of no ordinary
interest. And, indeed, if the opinions and sentiments of those with
whom she lived could influence, there was no need of any artifice to
predispose her in favour of her cousin. Sir Ratcliffe and Lady Armine
were wrapped up in their son. They seemed scarcely to have another idea,
feeling, or thought in the world, but his existence and his felicity;
and although their good sense had ever preserved them from the silly
habit of uttering his panegyric in his presence, they amply compensated
for this painful restraint when he was away. Then he was ever,
the handsomest, the cleverest, the most accomplished, and the most
kind-hearted and virtuous of his sex. Fortunate