ows nothing of it, sir,' said Lord Colambre, who now entered into
a full explanation of Miss Nugent's history, and of her connexion with
his family, and of his own attachment to her; concluding the whole by
assuring Mr. Reynolds that his grand-daughter had every virtue under
heaven. 'And as to your fortune, sir, I know that she will, as I do,
say--'

'No matter what she will say,' interrupted old Reynolds; 'where is she?
When I see her, I shall hear what she says. Tell me where she is let me
see her. I long to see whether there is any likeness to her poor father.
Where is she? Let me see her immediately.'

'She is one hundred and sixty miles off, sir, at Buxton.'

'Well, my lord, and what is a hundred and sixty miles? I suppose you
think I can't stir from my chair, but you are mistaken. I think
nothing of a journey of a hundred and sixty miles--I'm ready to set off
to-morrow--this instant.'

Lord Colambre said, that he was sure Miss Reynolds would obey her
grandfather's slightest summons, as it was her duty to do, and would be
with him as soon as possible, if this would be more agreeable to him. 'I
will write to her instantly,' said his lordship, 'if you will commission
me.'

'No, my lord, I do not commission--I will go--I think nothing, I say, of
a journey of a hundred and sixty miles--I'll go--and set out to-morrow
morning.'

Lord Colambre and the count, perfectly satisfied with the result of
their visit, now thought it best to leave old Reynolds at liberty to
rest himself, after so many strong and varied feelings. They paid their
parting compliments, settled the time for the next day's journey, and
were just going to quit the room when Lord Colambre heard in the passage
a well-known voice the voice of Mrs. Petito.

'Oh no, my compliments, and my Lady Dashfort's best compliments, and I
will call again.'

'No, no,' cried old Reynolds, pulling his bell; 'I'll have no calling
again--I'll be hanged if I do! Let her in now, and I'll see her--Jack!
let in that woman now or never.'

'The lady's gone, sir, out of the street door.'

'After her, then--now or never, tell her.'

'Sir, she was in a hackney coach.'

Old Reynolds jumped up, and went to the window himself, and, seeing the
hackney coachman just turning beckoned at the window, and Mrs. Petito
was set down again, and ushered in by Jack, who announced her as--

'The lady, sir.' The only lady he had seen in that house.

'My dear Mr. Reynolds, I'm so obli