ps!

CHAPTER III.

I was again foiled in seeing Trevanion. It was the Easter recess, and he
was at the house of one of his brother ministers somewhere in the North
of England. But Lady Ellinor was in London, and I was ushered into her
presence. Nothing could be more cordial than her manner, though she was
evidently much depressed in spirits, and looked wan and careworn.

After the kindest inquiries relative to my parents and the Captain, she
entered with much sympathy into my schemes and plans, which she said
Trevanion had confided to her. The sterling kindness that belonged to my
old patron (despite his affected anger at my not accepting his proffered
loan) had not only saved me and my fellow-adventurer all trouble as to
allotment orders, but procured advice as to choice of site and
soil, from the best practical experience, which we found after wards
exceedingly useful. And as Lady Ellinor gave me the little packet of
papers, with Trevanion's shrewd notes on the margin, she said, with a
half sigh, "Albert bids me say that he wishes he were as sanguine of his
success in the Cabinet as of yours in the Bush." She then turned to her
husband's rise and prospects, and her face began to change; her eyes
sparkled, the color came to her cheeks. "But you are one of the few who
know him," she said, interrupting herself suddenly; "you know how he
sacrifices all things,--joy, leisure, health,--to his country. There
is not one selfish thought in his nature. And yet such envy,--such
obstacles still! And [her eyes dropped on her dress, and I perceived
that she was in mourning, though the mourning was not deep], and," she
added, "it has pleased Heaven to withdraw from his side one who would
have been worthy his alliance."

I felt for the proud woman, though her emotion seemed more that of pride
than sorrow. And perhaps Lord Castleton's highest merit in her eyes had
been that of ministering to her husband's power and her own ambition. I
bowed my head in silence, and thought of Fanny. Did she, too, pine for
the lost rank, or rather mourn the lost lover?

After a time I said, hesitatingly, "I scarcely presume to condole with
you, Lady Ellinor, yet, believe me, few things ever shocked me like
the death you allude to. I trust Miss Trevanion's health has not much
suffered. Shall I not see her before I leave England?"

Lady Ellinor fixed her keen bright eyes searchingly on my countenance,
and perhaps the gaze satisfied her; for sh