'But where is Eleanor?'
'Somewhere in the midst. They are all absurd together.'
'What is the matter, Redgie?' asked Phyllis, unable to account for this extraordinary fit of misanthropy.
'Papa and William both driving me about like a dog,' said Reginald; 'first I danced with Miss Weston-then she saw that woman-that Miss Aylmer-shook hands-talked-and then nothing would serve her but to find papa. As soon as the Baron sees me he cries out, 'Why are not you dancing, Redgie? We do not want you!' Up and down they walk, ever so long, and presently papa turns off, and begins talking to Miss Aylmer. Then, of course, I went back to Miss Weston, but then up comes William, as savage as one of his Canadian bears; he orders me off too, and so here I am! I am sure I am not going to ask any one else to dance. Come and walk with me in peace, Phyl. Do you see them?-Miss Weston and Marianne under that tulip-tree, and the Captain helping them to ice.'
'Redgie, did you give Miss Weston her nosegay? Some one put such beautiful flowers in it, such as I never saw before.'
'How could I? They sent me off with Lily and Jane. I told William I had the flowers in charge, and he said he would take care of them. By the bye, Phyl,' and Reginald gave a wondrous spring, 'I have it! I have it! I have it! If he is not in love with Miss Weston you may call me an ass for the rest of my life.'
'I should not like to call you an ass, Redgie,' said Phyllis.
'Very likely; but do not make me call you one. Hurrah! Now ask Marianne if it is not so. Marianne must know. How jolly! I say, Phyl, stay there, and I will fetch Marianne.'
Away ran Reginald, and presently returned with Marianne, who was very glad to be invited to join Phyllis. She little knew what an examination awaited her.
'Marianne,' began Phyllis, 'I'll tell you what-'
'No, I will do it right,' said Reginald; 'you know nothing about it, Phyl. Marianne, is not something going on there?'
'Going on?' said Marianne, 'Alethea is speaking to Mrs. Hawkesworth.'
'Nonsense, I know better, Marianne. I have a suspicion that I could tell what the Captain was about yesterday when he walked off after dinner.'
'How very wise you think you look, Reginald!' said Marianne, laughing heartily.
'But tell us; do tell us, Marianne,' said Phyllis.
'Tell you whet?'
'Whether William is going to marry Miss Weston,' said the straightforward Phyllis. 'Redgie says so-only tell us. Oh! it would be so nice!'
'How you blurt it out, Phyl,' said Reginald. 'You do not know how those things are managed. Mind, I found it out all myself. Just say, Marianne. Am not I right?'
'I do not know whether I ought to tell,' said Marianne.
'Oh! then it is all right,' said Reginald, 'and I found it out. Now, Marianne, there is a good girl, tell us all about it.'
'You know I could not say 'No' when you asked me,' said Marianne; 'I could not help it really; but pray do not tell anybody, or Captain Mohun will not like it.'
'Does any one know?' said Reginald.
'Only ourselves and Mr. Mohun; and I think Lord Rotherwood guesses, from something I heard him say to Jane.'
'To Jane?' said Reginald. 'That is provoking; she will think she found it out all herself, and be so conceited!'
'You need not be afraid,' said Marianne, laughing; 'Jane is on a wrong scent.'
'Jane? Oh! I should like to see her out in her reckonings! I should like to have a laugh against her. What does she think, Marianne?'
'Oh! I cannot tell you; it is too bad.'
'Oh! do; do, pray. You may whisper it if it is too bad for Phyllis to hear.'
'No, no,' said Marianne; 'it is nothing but nonsense. If you hear it, Phyllis shall too; but mind, you must promise not to say anything to anybody, or I do not know what will become of me.'
'Well, we will not,' said Reginald; 'boys can always keep secrets, and I'll engage for Phyl. Now for it.'
'She is in a terrible fright lest it should be Mr. Mohun. She got it into her head last autumn, and all I could say would not persuade her out of it. Why, she always calls me Aunt Marianne when we are alone. Now, Reginald, here comes Maurice. Do not say anything, I beg and entreat. It is my secret, you know. I daresay you will all be told to-morrow,-indeed, mamma said so,-but pray say nothing about me or Jane. It was only settled yesterday evening.'
At this moment Maurice came up, with a message that Miss Weston and Eleanor were going away, and wanted the little girls. They followed him to the tent, which had been cleared of the tables, and lighted up, in order that the dancing might continue there. Most of their own party were collected at the entrance, watching for them. Lilias came up just as they did, and exclaimed in a tone of disappointment, on finding them preparing to depart. She had enjoyed herself exceedingly, found plenty of partners, and was not in the least tired.
'Why should she not stay?' said William. 'Claude has engaged to stay to the end of everything, and he may as well drive her as ride the gray.'
'And you, Jenny,' said Mr. Mohun, 'do you like to stay or go? Alethea will make room for you in the pony- carriage, or you may go with Eleanor.
'With Eleanor, if you please,' said Jane.
'Already, Jane?' said Lily. 'Are you tired?'
Jane drew her aside. 'Tired of hearing that I was right about what you would not believe. Did you not hear what he called her? And Rotherwood has found it out.'
'It is all gossip and mistake,' said Lily.
Here Jane was called away by Eleanor, and departed with her; Lilias went to look for her aunt or Florence, but on the way was asked to dance by Mr. Carrington.
'I suppose I may congratulate you,' said he in one of the pauses in the quadrille.
Lily thought it best to misunderstand, and answered, 'Everything has gone off very well.'
'Very. Lord Rotherwood will be a popular man; but my congratulations refer to something nearer home. I think you owe us some thanks for having brought them into the neighbourhood.'
'Report is very kind in making arrangements,' said Lily, with something of Emily's haughty courtesy.
'I hope this is something more than report,' said her partner.
'Indeed, I believe not. I think I may safely say that it is at present quite unfounded,' said Lily,
Mr. Carrington, much surprised, said no more.
Lily did not believe the report sufficiently to be annoyed by it during the excitement and pleasure of the evening, and at present her principal vexation was caused by the rapid diminution of the company. She and her brother were the very last to depart, even Florence had gone to bed, and Lady Rotherwood, looking exceedingly tired, kissed Lily at the foot of the stairs, pitied her for going home in an open carriage, and wished her good-night in a very weary tone.
'I should think you were the fiftieth lady I have handed across the hall,' said Lord Rotherwood, as he gave Lily his arm.
'But where were the fireworks, Rotherwood?'
'Countermanded long ago. We have had enough of them. Well, I am sorry it is over.'
'I am very glad it is so well over,' said Claude.
'Thanks to your exertions, Claude,' said the Marquis. 'You acted like a hero.'
'Like a dancing dervish you mean,' said Claude. 'It will suffice for my whole life.'
'I hope you are not quite exhausted.'
'No, thank you. I have turned over a new leaf.'
'Talking of new leaves,' said the Marquis, 'I always had a presentiment that Emily's government would come to a crisis to-day.'
'Do you think it has?' said Claude.
'Trust my word, you will hear great news to-morrow. And that reminds me-can you come here to-morrow morning? Travers is going-I drive him to meet the coach at the town, and you were talking of wanting to see the
