be explained also that there was another motive, for this English
rural sojourn. Lady Augustus Trefoil, who was an adventurous lady,
had been travelling in the United States with her daughter, and had
there fallen in with Mr. John Morton. Arabella Trefoil was a
beauty, and a woman of fashion, and had captivated the Paragon. An
engagement had been made, subject to various stipulations; the
consent of Lord Augustus in the first place,--as to which John
Morton who only understood foreign affairs was not aware, as he
would have been had he lived in England, that Lord Augustus was
nobody. Lady Augustus had spoken freely as to settlements, value of
property, life insurance and such matters; and had spoken firmly,
as well as freely, expressing doubt as to the expediency of such an
engagement;--all of which had surprised Mr. Morton considerably,
for the young lady had at first been left in his hands with almost
American freedom. And now Lady Augustus and her daughter were
coming down on a visit of inspection. They had been told, as had
the Senator, that things would be in the rough. The house had not
been properly inhabited for nearly a quarter of a century. The
Senator had expressed himself quite contented. Lady Augustus had
only hoped that everything would be made as comfortable as possible
for her daughter. I don't know what more could have been done at so
short a notice than to order two carriages, two housemaids, and a
cook.

A word or two must also be said of the old lady who made one of the
party. The Honourable Mrs. Morton was now seventy, but no old lady
ever showed less signs of advanced age. It is not to be understood
from this that she was beautiful;---but that she was very strong.
What might be the colour of her hair, or whether she had any, no
man had known for many years. But she wore so perfect a front that