, has, I assure
you, been long desired by both of us,' she said, with a delightful
smile.

'No compliments, believe me,' added Sir Ratcliffe; 'Constance never pays
compliments. She fixed upon your own room herself. She always calls it
Mr. Glastonbury's room.'

'Ah! madam,' said Mr. Glastonbury, laying his hand very gently on the
shoulder of Sir Ratcliffe, and meaning to say something felicitous, 'I
know this dear youth well; and I have always thought whoever could claim
this heart should be counted a very fortunate woman.'

'And such the possessor esteems herself,' replied Lady Armine with a
smile.

Sir Ratcliffe, after a quarter of an hour or so had passed in
conversation, said: 'Come, Glastonbury, you have arrived at a good time,
for dinner is at hand. Let me show you to your room. I fear you have
had a hot day's journey. Thank God, we are together again. Give me your
staff; I will take care of it; no fear of that. So, this way. You have
seen the old Place before? Take care of that step. I say, Constance,'
said Sir Ratcliffe, in a suppressed voice, and running back to his wife,
'how do you like him?'

'Very much indeed.'

'But do you really?'

'Really, truly.'

'Angel!' exclaimed the gratified Sir Ratcliffe.

CHAPTER IV.

_Progress of Affairs at Armine_.

LIFE is adventurous. Events are perpetually occurring, even in the
calmness of domestic existence, which change in an instant the whole
train and tenor of our thoughts and feelings, and often materially
influence our fortunes and our character. It is strange, and sometimes
as profitable as it is singular, to recall our state on the eve of
some acquaintance which transfigures our being; with some man whose
philosophy revolutionises our mind; with some woman whose charms
metamorphose our career. These retrospective meditations are fruitful of
self-knowledge.

The visit of Glastonbury was one of those incidents which, from the
unexpected results that they occasion, swell into events. He had not
been long a guest at Armine before Sir Ratcliffe and his lady could not
refrain from mutually communicating to each other the gratification they
should feel could Glastonbury be induced to cast his lot among them. His
benevolent and placid temper, his many accomplishments, and the entire
affection which he evidently entertained for everybody that bore the
name, and for everything that related to the fortunes of Armine, all
pointed him out as a friend