r, Ferdinand made his appearance below, and established
himself in the library: it now, therefore, became absolutely necessary
that Miss Grandison should steel her nerves to the altered state of
her betrothed, which had at first apparently so much affected her
sensibility, and, by the united influence of habit and Mr. Glastonbury,
it is astonishing what progress she made. She even at last could so
command her feelings, that she apparently greatly contributed to his
amusement. She joined in the family concerts, once even read to him.

Every morning, too, she brought him a flower, and often offered him her
arm. And yet Ferdinand could not resist observing a great difference
in her behaviour towards him since he had last quitted her at Bath.
Far from conducting herself, as he had nervously apprehended, as if
her claim to be his companion were irresistible, her carriage, on the
contrary, indicated the most retiring disposition; she annoyed him with
no expressions of fondness, and listened to the kind words which he
occasionally urged himself to bestow upon her with a sentiment of grave
regard and placid silence, which almost filled him with astonishment.

One morning, the weather being clear and fine, Ferdinand insisted that
his mother, who had as yet scarcely quitted his side, should drive out
with Sir Ratcliffe; and, as he would take no refusal, Lady Armine agreed
to comply. The carriage was ordered, was at the door; and as Lady Armine
bade him adieu, Ferdinand rose from his seat and took the arm of
Miss Grandison, who seemed on the point of retiring; for Glastonbury
remained, and therefore Ferdinand was not without a companion.

'I will see you go off,' said Ferdinand.

'Adieu!' said Lady Armine. 'Take care of him, dear Kate,' and the
phaeton was soon out of sight.

'It is more like May than January,' said Ferdinand to his cousin. 'I
fancy I should like to walk a little.'

'Shall I send for Mr. Glastonbury?' said Katherine.

'Not if my arm be not too heavy for you,' said Ferdinand. So they
walked slowly on, perhaps some fifty yards, until they arrived at a
garden-seat, very near the rose-tree whose flowers Henrietta Temple so
much admired. It had no flowers now, but seemed as desolate as their
unhappy loves.

[Illustration: page323.jpg]

'A moment's rest,' said Ferdinand, and sighed. 'Dear Kate, I wish to
speak to you.'

Miss Grandison turned pale.

'I have something on my mind, Katherine, of which I would e