ng aloud.

However, in two months I shall have no right even to thoughts; perhaps
I may not even love you: till then, dearest Eleanor, I am, as ever, your
affectionate and faithful friend, F. A.

Had Lord Westborough, indeed, been "less urgent," or her mother "less
kind," nothing could ever have wrung from Lady Flora her consent to a
marriage so ungenial and ill-omened.

Thrice had Lord Ulswater (then Lord Borodaile) been refused, before
finally accepted; and those who judge only from the ordinary effects of
pride would be astonished that he should have still persevered. But his
pride was that deep-rooted feeling which, so far from being repelled by
a single blow, fights stubbornly and doggedly onward, till the battle is
over and its object gained. From the moment he had resolved to address
Lady Flora Ardenne he had also resolved to win her. For three years,
despite of a refusal, first gently, then more peremptorily, urged, he
fixed himself in her train. He gave out that he was her affianced. In
all parties, in all places, he forced himself near her, unheeding alike
of her frowns or indifference; and his rank, his hauteur, his fierceness
of mien, and acknowledged courage kept aloof all the less arrogant and
hardy pretenders to Lady Flora's favour. For this, indeed, she rather
thanked than blamed him; and it was the only thing which in the least
reconciled her modesty to his advances or her pride to his presumption.

He had been prudent as well as bold. The father he had served, and the
mother he had won. Lord Westborough, addicted a little to politics,
a good deal to show, and devotedly to gaming, was often greatly and
seriously embarrassed. Lord Ulswater, even during the life of his father
(who was lavishly generous to him), was provided with the means of
relieving his intended father-in-law's necessities; and caring little
for money in comparison to a desired object, he was willing enough, we
do not say to bribe, but to influence, Lord Westborough's consent. These
matters of arrangement were by no means concealed from the marchioness,
who, herself ostentatious and profuse, was in no small degree benefited
by them; and though they did not solely procure, yet they certainly
contributed to conciliate, her favour.

Few people are designedly and systematically wicked: even the worst find
good motives for bad deeds, and are as intent upon discovering glosses
for conduct to deceive themselves as to delude others. What wo