e.

'She was clear-sighted,' repeated Miss Nugent; 'but if you mean that
she was vain, and apt to fancy people in love with her, I can assure you
that you are mistaken. Never was woman, young or old, more clear-sighted
to the views of those by whom she was addressed. No flattery, no
fashion, could blind her judgment.'

'She knew how to choose a friend well, I am sure,' said Lord Colambre.

'And a friend for life too, I am sure you will allow and she had such
numbers, such strange variety of admirers, as might have puzzled the
choice and turned the brain of any inferior person. Such a succession of
lovers as she has had this summer, ever since you went to Ireland--they
appeared and vanished like figures in a magic-lantern. She had three
noble admirers--rank in three different forms offered themselves. First
came in, hobbling, rank and gout; next, rank and gaming; then rank, Very
high rank, over head and ears in debt. All of these were rejected;
and, as they moved off; I thought Mrs. Broadhurst would have broken
her heart. Next came fashion, with his head, heart, and soul in his
cravat--he quickly made his bow, or rather his nod, and walked off,
taking a pinch of snuff. Then came a man of gallantry, but,' whispered
Miss Nugent, 'there was a mistress in the wood; and my friend could have
nothing to do with that gentleman.'

'Now, if she liked the man, interrupted Lord Clonbrony, 'and I suppose
she did, for all women, but yourself, Grace, like men of gallantry,
Miss Broadhurst was a goose for refusing him on account of the mistress;
because she might have been bought up, and settled with a few thousand
pounds.'

'Be that as it may,' said Miss Nugent; 'my friend did not like, and
would not accept, of the man of gallantry; so he retired and comforted
himself with a copy of verses. Then came a man of wit--but still it was
wit without worth; and presently came "worth without wit." She preferred
"wit and worth united," which she fortunately at last found, Lord
Colambre, in your friend, Sir Arthur Berryl.'

'Grace, my girl!' said her uncle, 'I'm glad to see you've got up your
spirits again, though you were not to be bridesmaid. Well, I hope
you'll be bride soon--I'm sure you ought to be--and you should think of
rewarding that poor Mr. Salisbury, who plagues me to death, whenever he
can catch hold of me, about you. He must have our definitive at last,
you know, Grace.'

A silence ensued, which neither Miss Nugent nor Lord