the
Eardhams, and had some delicious rambles with his Augusta through the
shrubberies and down by the little brook. Ralph had an enjoyment in
the prettiness of nature, and Augusta was clever enough to simulate
the feeling. He was a little annoyed, perhaps, when he found that the
beauty of her morning dresses did not admit of her sitting upon the
grass or leaning against gates, and once expressed an opinion that
she need not be so particular about her gloves in this the hour of
their billing and cooing. Augusta altogether declined to remove her
gloves in a place swarming, as she said, with midges, or to undergo
any kind of embrace while adorned with that sweetest of all hats,
which had been purchased for his especial delight. But in other
respects she was good humoured, and tried to please him. She learned
the names of all his horses, and was beginning to remember those
of his tenants. She smiled upon Gregory, and behaved with a pretty
decorum when the young parson showed her his church. Altogether her
behaviour was much better than might have been expected from the
training to which she had been subjected during her seven seasons in
London. Lord Polperrow wronged her greatly when he said that she had
been "running" for ten years.

There was a little embarrassment in Ralph's first interview with
Gregory. He had given his brother notice of his engagement by letter
as soon as he had been accepted, feeling that any annoyance coming to
him, might be lessoned in that way. Unfortunately he had spoken to
his brother in what he now felt to have been exaggerated terms of his
passion for Mary Bonner, and he himself was aware that that malady
had been quickly cured. "I suppose the news startled you?" he had
said, with a forced laugh, as soon as he met his brother.

"Well;--yes, a little. I did not know that you were so intimate with
them."

"The truth is, I had thought a deal about the matter, and I had come
to see how essential it was for the interests of us all that I should
marry into our own set. The moment I saw Augusta I felt that she was
exactly the girl to make me happy. She is very handsome. Don't you
think so?"

"Certainly."

"And then she has just the style which, after all, does go so far.
There's nothing dowdy about her. A dowdy woman would have killed me.
She attracted me from the first moment; and, by Jove, old fellow, I
can assure you it was mutual. I am the happiest fellow alive, and
I don't think there is