place in the world that I think equal to Brentham."

"And I love it, too, and no other place," she replied; "and I should be
quite happy if I never left it."



CHAPTER 5


Lord Montairy was passionately devoted to croquet. He flattered himself
that he was the most accomplished male performer existing. He would
have thought absolutely the most accomplished, were it not for the
unrivalled feats of Lady Montairy. She was the queen of croquet. Her
sisters also used the mallet with admirable skill, but not like
Georgina. Lord Montairy always looked forward to his summer croquet at
Brentham. It was a great croquet family, the Brentham family; even
listless Lord St. Aldegonde would sometimes play, with a cigar never
out of his mouth. They did not object to his smoking in the air. On
the contrary, "they rather liked it." Captain Mildmay, too, was a
brilliant hand, and had written a. treatise on croquet -- the best
going.

There was a great croquet-party one morning at Brentham. Some neighbors
had been invited who loved the sport. Mr. Blenkinsop a grave young
gentleman, whose countenance never relaxed while he played, and who was
understood, to give his mind entirely up to croquet. He was the owner
of the largest estate in the county, and it was thought would have very
much liked to have allied himself with one of the young ladies of the
house of Brentham; but these flowers were always plucked so quickly,