but there was a restlessness
about him, an excited and exaggerated style, which might have made some
suspect that his demeanour was an effort, and that under a superficial
glitter, by which so many are deceived, there was no little deficiency
of the genuine and sincere. Katherine Grandison, however, was not one of
those profound observers. She was easily captivated. Ferdinand, who
really did not feel sufficient emotion to venture upon a scene, made his
proposals to her when they were riding in a green lane: the sun just
setting, and the evening star glittering through a vista. The lady
blushed, and wept, and sobbed, and hid her fair and streaming face; but
the result was as satisfactory as our hero could desire. The young
equestrians kept their friends in the crescent at least two hours for
dinner, and then had no appetite for the repast when they had arrived.

Nevertheless the maiden aunt, although a very particular personage, made
this day no complaint, and was evidently far from being dissatisfied
with anybody or anything. As for Ferdinand, he called for a tumbler of
champagne, and secretly drank his own health, as the luckiest fellow of
his acquaintance, with a pretty, amiable, and high-bred wife, with all
his debts paid, and the house of Armine restored.

CHAPTER III.

_Which Ferdinand Returns to Armine_.

IT WAS settled that a year must elapse from the death of Lord Grandison
before the young couple could be united: a reprieve which did not
occasion Ferdinand acute grief. In the meantime the Grandisons were
to pass at least the autumn at Armine, and thither the united families
proposed soon to direct their progress. Ferdinand, who had been nearly
two months at Bath, and was a little wearied of courtship, contrived to
quit that city before his friends, on the plea of visiting London, to
arrange about selling his commission; for it was agreed that he should
quit the army.

On his arrival in London, having spoken to his agent, and finding town
quite empty, he set off immediately for Armine, in order that he might
have the pleasure of being there a few days without the society of his
intended; celebrate the impending first of September; and, especially,
embrace his dear Glastonbury. For it must not be supposed that Ferdinand
had forgotten for a moment this invaluable friend; on the contrary, he
had written to him several times since his arrival: always assuring him
that nothing but important business