appened between him and Ethel,
of whom he spoke most kindly and generously, but avowing his opinion
that they never could have been happy in married life. And now I think
my dear old father will see that there may be another reason besides my
desire to see Mr. Binnie, which has brought me tumbling back to England
again. If need be to speak, I never shall have, I hope, any secrets
from you. I have not said much about one which has given me the deuce's
disquiet for ten months past, because there was no good in talking about
it, or vexing you needlessly with reports of my griefs and woes.

"Well, when we were at Baden in September last, and E. and I wrote those
letters in common to you, I dare say you can fancy what my feelings
might have been towards such a beautiful young creature, who has a
hundred faults, for which I love her just as much as for the good that
is in her. I became dreadfully smitten indeed, and knowing that she was
engaged to Lord Kew, I did as you told me you did once when the enemy
was too strong for you--I ran away. I had a bad time of it for two or
three months. At Rome, however, I began to take matters more easily, my
naturally fine appetite returned, and at the end of the season I found
myself uncommonly happy in the society of the Miss Baliols and the Miss
Freemans; but when Kew told me at Naples of what had happened, there was
straightway a fresh eruption in my heart, and I was fool enough to come
almost without sleep to London in order to catch a glimpse of the bright
eyes of E. N.

"She is now in this very house upstairs with one aunt, whilst the other
lets lodgings to her. I have seen her but very seldom indeed since I
came to London, where Sir Brian and Lady Anne do not pass the season,
and Ethel goes about to a dozen parties every week with old Lady Kew,
who neither loves you nor me. Hearing E. say she was coming down to
her parents at Brighton, I made so bold as to waylay her at the
train (though I didn't tell her that I passed three hours in the
waiting-room); and we made the journey together, and she was very kind
and beautiful; and though I suppose I might just as well ask the Royal
Princess to have me, I can't help hoping and longing and hankering after
her. And Aunt Honeyman must have found out that I am fond of her, for
the old lady has received me with a scolding. Uncle Charles seems to
be in very good condition again. I saw him in full clerical feather--at
Madame de Moncontour's, a