ear from the dragon of the family. Lady
Sarah, in spite of their cousinship, had called her Mrs. Houghton, and
Mrs. Houghton, in return, called the other Lady Sarah. There was to be
no intimacy, and she was only received there because of her dislocated
shoulder. Let it be so. Lord George and his wife were coming up to
town, and the intimacy should be there. She certainly would not wish to
repeat her visit to Manor Cross.

"Some ladies do like hunting, and some don't," she said, in answer to a
severe remark from Lady Sarah. "I am one of those who do, and I don't
think an accident like that has anything to do with it."

"I can't say I think it an amusement fit for ladies," said Lady Sarah.

"I suppose ladies may do what clergymen do. The Dean jumped over the
brook just before me." There was not much of an argument in this, but
Mrs. Houghton knew that it would vex Lady Sarah, because of the
alliance between the Dean and the Manor Cross family.

"She's a detestable young woman," Lady Sarah said to her mother, "and I
can only hope that Mary won't see much of her up in town."

"I don't see how she can, after what there has been between her and
George," said the innocent old lady. In spite, however, of this
strongly expressed opinion, the old lady made her visit, taking Lady
Amelia with her. "I hope, my dear, you find yourself getting better."

"So much better, Lady Brotherton! But I am so sorry to have given you
all this trouble; but it has been very pleasant to me to be here, and
to see Lord George and Mary together. I declare I think hers is the
sweetest face I ever looked upon. And she is so much improved. That's
what perfect happiness does. I do so like her."

"We love her very dearly," said the Marchioness.

"I am sure you do. And he is so proud of her!" Lady Sarah had said that
the woman was detestable, and therefore the Marchioness felt that she
ought to detest her. But, had it not been for Lady Sarah, she would
have been rather pleased with her guest than otherwise. She did not
remain very long, but promised that she would return on the next day.

On the following morning Mr. Houghton came again, staying only a few
minutes; and while he was in his wife's sitting-room, both Lord George
and Mary found them. As they were all leaving her together, she
contrived to say a word to her old lover. "Don't desert me all the
morning. Come and talk to me a bit. I am well now, though they won't
let me move about." In obedi