had fallen by the sound of footsteps
approaching my chamber, and my mother
entered.

'Fanny, my dear,' said she, in her softest
tone, 'I wish to say a word or two with
you before I go to rest. You are not
fatigued, love, I hope?'

'No, no, madam, I thank you,' said I,
rising at the same time from my seat, with
the formal respect so little practised now.

'Sit down, my dear,' said she, placing
herself upon a chair beside me; 'I must
chat with you for a quarter of an hour or so.
Saunders' (to the maid) 'you may leave
the room; do not close the room-door, but
shut that of the lobby.'

This precaution against curious ears
having been taken as directed, my mother
proceeded.

'You have observed, I should suppose,
my dearest Fanny--indeed, you MUST have
observed Lord Glenfallen's marked attentions
to you?'

'I assure you, madam----' I began.