too even forehead. Rumour had declared that on more than one, or perhaps more than two occasions, Lady Alexandrina had been already induced to plight her troth in return for proffered love; but we all know that Rumour, when she takes to such topics, exaggerates the truth, and sets down much in malice. The lady was once engaged, the engagement lasting for two years, and the engagement had been broken off, owing to some money difficulties between the gentlemen of the families. Since that she had become somewhat querulous, and was supposed to be uneasy on that subject of her haymaking. Her glass and her maid assured her that her sun shone still as brightly as ever; but her spirit was becoming weary with waiting, and she dreaded lest she should become a terror to all, as was her sister Rosina, or an object of interest to none, as was Margaretta. It was from her especially that this message had been sent to our friend Crosbie; for, during the last spring in London, she and Crosbie had known each other well. Yes, my gentle readers; it is true, as your heart suggests to you. Under such circumstances Mr Crosbie should not have gone to Courcy Castle.
Such was the family circle of the de Courcys. Among their present guests I need not enumerate many. First and foremost in all respects was Lady Dumbello, of whose parentage and position a few words were said in the last chapter. She was a lady still very young, having as yet been little more than two years married. But in those two years her triumphs had been many;—so many, that in the great world her standing already equalled that of her celebrated mother-in-law, the Marchioness of Hartletop, who, for twenty years, had owned no greater potentate than herself in the realms of fashion. But Lady Dumbello was every inch as great as she; and men said, and women also, that the daughter-in-law would soon be the greater.
'I'll be hanged if I can understand how she does it,' a certain noble peer had once said to Crosbie, standing at the door of Sebright's, during the latter days of the last season. 'She never says anything to any one. She won't speak ten words a whole night through.'
'I don't think she has an idea in her head,' said Crosbie.
'Let me tell you that she must be a very clever woman,' continued the noble peer. 'No fool could do as she does. Remember, she's only a parson's daughter; and as for beauty—'
'I don't admire her for one,' said Crosbie.
'I don't want to run away with her, if you mean that,' said the peer; 'but she is handsome, no doubt. I wonder whether Dumbello likes it.'
Dumbello did like it. It satisfied his ambition to be led about as the senior lacquey in his wife's train. He believed himself to be a great man because the world fought for his wife's presence; and considered himself to be distinguished even among the eldest sons of marquises, by the greatness reflected from the parson's daughter whom he had married. He had now been brought to Courcy Castle, and felt himself proud of his situation because Lady Dumbello had made considerable difficulty in according this week to the Countess de Courcy.
And Lady Julia De Guest was already there, the sister of the other old earl, who lived in the next county. She had only arrived on the day before, but had been quick in spreading the news as to Crosbie's engagement. 'Engaged to one of the Dales, is he?' said the countess, with a pretty little smile, which showed plainly that the matter was one of no interest to herself. 'Has she got any money?'
'Not a shilling, I should think,' said the Lady Julia.
'Pretty, I suppose?' suggested the countess.
'Why, yes; she is pretty,—and a nice girl. I don't know whether her mother and uncle were very wise in encouraging Mr Crosbie. I don't hear that he has anything special to recommend him,—in the way of money I mean.'
'I dare say it will come to nothing,' said the countess, who liked to hear of girls being engaged and then losing their promised husbands. She did not know that she liked it, but she did; and already had pleasure in anticipating poor Lily's discomfiture. But not the less was she angry with Crosbie, feeling that he was making his way into her house under false pretences.
And Alexandrina also was angry when Lady Julia repeated the same tidings in her hearing. 'I really don't think we care very much about it, Lady Julia,' said she, with a little toss of her head. 'That's three times we've been told of Miss Dale's good fortune.'
'The Dales are related to you, I think?' said Margaretta.
'Not at all,' said Lady Julia, bristling up. 'The lady whom Mr Crosbie proposes to marry is in no way connected with us. Her cousin, who is the heir to the Allington property, is my nephew by his mother.' And then the subject was dropped.
Crosbie, on his arrival, was shown up into his room, told the hour of dinner, and left to his devices. He had been at the castle before, and knew the ways of the house. So he sat himself down to his table, and began a letter to Lily. But he had not proceeded far, not having as yet indeed made up his mind as to the form in which he would commence it, but was sitting idly with the pen in his hand, thinking of Lily, and thinking also how such houses as this in which he now
