and a hope. What then can we say of the desire to be useful, and the hope
to be immortal?"

This was language Constance had not often heard before, nor was it
frequent on the lips of him who now uttered it. But an interest in the
fate and happiness of one in whom he saw so much to admire, had made
Mandeville anxious that she should entertain some principle which he could
also esteem. And there was a fervour, a sincerity, in his voice and
manner, that thrilled to the very heart of Lady Erpingham. She pressed
his hand in silence. She thought afterwards over his words; but worldly
life is not easily accessible to any lasting impressions save those of
vanity and love. Religion has two sources; the habit of early years, or
the process of after thought. But to Constance had not been fated the
advantage of the first; and how can deep thought of another world be a
favourite employment with the scheming woman of this?

This is the only time that Mandeville appears in this work: a type of the
rarity of the intervention of religious wisdom on the scenes of real life.

"By the way," said Saville, as, in departing, he encountered Constance by
the door, and made his final adieus; "by the way; you will perhaps meet,
somewhere in Italy, my old young friend, Percy Godolphin. He has not been
pleased to prate of his whereabout to me; but I hear that he has been seen
lately at Naples."

Constance coloured, and her heart beat violently; but she answered
indifferently, and turned away.

The next morning they set off for Italy. But within one week from that
day, what a change awaited Constance!