I sincerely
hope that she may be happy."

"I think she will," said Mrs. Grantly, in a tone that expressed much
satisfaction.

"Has--has anything--"

"Lord Dumbello proposed to Griselda the other night, at Miss
Dunstable's party," said Mrs. Grantly, with her eyes fixed upon
the floor, and assuming on the sudden much meekness in her manner;
"and his lordship was with the archdeacon yesterday, and again this
morning. I fancy he is in Mount Street at the present moment."

"Oh, indeed!" said Lady Lufton. She would have given worlds to have
possessed at the moment sufficient self-command to have enabled her
to express in her tone and manner unqualified satisfaction at the
tidings. But she had not such self-command, and was painfully aware
of her own deficiency.

"Yes," said Mrs. Grantly. "And as it is all so far settled, and as
I know you are so kindly anxious about dear Griselda, I thought
it right to let you know at once. Nothing can be more upright,
honourable, and generous, than Lord Dumbello's conduct; and, on the
whole, the match is one with which I and the archdeacon cannot but be
contented."

"It is certainly a great match," said Lady Lufton. "Have you seen
Lady Hartletop yet?"

Now Lady Hartletop could not be regarded as an agreeable connexion,
but this was the only word which escaped from Lady Lufton that could
be considered in any way disparaging, and, on the whole, I think that
she behaved well.

"Lord Dumbello is so completely his own master that that has not been
necessary," said Mrs. Grantly. "The marquess has been told, and the
archdeacon will see him either to-morrow or the day after." There was
nothing left for Lady Lufton but to congratulate her friend, and this
she did in words perhaps not very sincere, but which, on the whole,
were not badly chosen.

"I am sure I hope she will be very happy," said Lady Lufton, "and
I trust that the alliance"--the word was very agreeable to Mrs.
Grantly's ear--"will give unalloyed gratification to you and to her
father. The position which she is called to fill is a very splendid
one, but I do not think that it is above her merits." This was very
generous, and so Mrs. Grantly felt it. She had expected that her news
would be received with the coldest shade of civility, and she was
quite prepared to do battle if there were occasion. But she had
no wish for war, and was almost grateful to Lady Lufton for her
cordiality.

"Dear Lady Lufton," she said, "it is so