to speak the truth, I am not quite sure that
a Howard, or an Armine, who was a Protestant, like myself, would quite
please my fancy so much as in their present position, which, if a little
inconvenient, is very picturesque.'

Ferdinand smiled. 'My great grandmother was a Protestant,' said
Ferdinand, 'Margaret Armine. Do you think Margaret a pretty name?'

'Queen Margaret! yes, a fine name, I think; barring its abbreviation.'

'I wish my great grandmother's name had not been Margaret,' said
Ferdinand, very seriously.

'Now, why should that respectable dame's baptism disturb your fancy?'
enquired Miss Temple.

'I wish her name had been Henrietta,' replied Ferdinand. 'Henrietta
Armine. You know there was a Henrietta Armine once?'

'Was there?' said Miss Temple, rising. 'Our skein is finished. You have
been very good. I must go and see my flowers. Come.' And as she said
this little word, she turned her fair and finely-finished neck, and
looked over her shoulder at Ferdinand with an arch expression of
countenance peculiar to her. That winning look, indeed, that clear,
sweet voice, and that quick graceful attitude, blended into a spell
which was irresistible. His heart yearned for Henrietta Temple, and rose
at the bidding of her voice.

From the conservatory they stepped into the garden. It was a delicious
afternoon; the sun had sunk behind the grove, and the air, which had
been throughout the day somewhat oppressive, was now warm, but mild. At
Ducie there was a fine old terrace facing the western hills, that bound
the valley in which the Bower was situate. These hills, a ridge of
moderate elevation, but of picturesque form, parted just opposite
the terrace, as if on purpose to admit the setting sun, like inferior
existences that had, as it were, made way before the splendour of some
mighty lord or conqueror. The lofty and sloping bank which this terrace
crowned was covered with rare shrubs, and occasionally a group of tall
trees sprang up among them, and broke the view with an interference
which was far from ungraceful, while plants, spreading forth from large
marble vases, had extended over their trunks, and sometimes, in their
play, had touched even their topmost branches. Between the terrace
and the distant hills extended a tract of pasture-land, green and
well-wooded by its rich hedgerows; not a roof was visible, though many
farms and hamlets were at hand; and, in the heart of a rich and populous
land, here was