ng
you together. Don't take my version, however, of her reasons, but ask
her to give them to you herself."

"Isn't that the wall of the city? I declare we are quite close to Rome
already. Now then, first to leave my name for Lady Augusta--not sorry to
know I shall not find her at home, for I never understood her, George.
I never do understand certain people, whether their levity means that
it is the real nature, or simply a humor put on to get rid of you; as
though to say, rather than let you impose any solemnity upon me, or talk
seriously, I 'll have a game at shuttlecock!"

"She always puzzled me," said L'Estrange, "but that wasn't hard to do."

"I suspect, George, that neither you nor I know much about women."

"For _my_ part, I know nothing at all about them."

"And I not much."

After this frank confession on either side, they walked along, each
seemingly deep in his own thought, and said little till they reached the
city. Leaving them, then, on their way to Lady Augusta's house, where
Bramleigh desired to drop his card, we turn for a moment to the little
villa at Albano, in front of which a smart groom was leading a lady's
horse, while in the distance a solitary rider was slowly walking his
horse, and frequently turning his looks towards the gate of the villa.

The explanation of all this was, that Lady Augusta had taken the
opportunity of being near the L'Estranges to pay a visit to the
Bramleighs, leaving Pracontal to wait for her till she came out.

"This visit is for you, Nelly," said Julia, as she read the card; "and
I 'll make my escape."

She had but time to get out of the room when Lady Augusta entered.

"My dear child," said she, rushing into Nelly's arms, and kissing her
with rapturous affection. "My dear child, what a happiness to see you
again, and how well you are looking; you 're handsomer, I declare,
than Marion. Yes, darling--don't blush; it's perfectly true. Where's
Augustus? has he come with you?"

"He has gone in to Rome to see you," said Nelly, whose face was still
crimson, and who felt flurried and agitated by the flighty impetuosity
of the other.

"I hope it was to say that you are both coming to me? Yes, dearest,
I 'll take no excuse. It would be a town-talk if you stopped anywhere
else; and I have such a nice little villa--a mere baby-house; but quite
large enough to hold you; and my brother-in-law will take Augustus
about, and show him Rome, and I shall have you all to myself