her eyes had sparkled
when she confessed her love, Lady Lufton was not prepared to admit
that she was possessed of positive beauty. Such were the unfortunate
concomitant circumstances which still induced Lady Lufton to resolve
that the match must be marred.

But the performance of her part in this play was much more difficult
than she had imagined, and she found herself obliged to sit silent
for a minute or two, during which, however, Miss Robarts made no
attempt at further speech. "I am greatly struck," Lady Lufton said at
last, "by the excellent sense you have displayed in the whole of this
affair; and you must allow me to say, Miss Robarts, that I now regard
you with very different feelings from those which I entertained when
I left London." Upon this Lucy bowed her head, slightly but very
stiffly; acknowledging rather the former censure implied than the
present eulogium expressed.

"But my feelings," continued Lady Lufton, "my strongest feelings in
this matter, must be those of a mother. What might be my conduct if
such a marriage did take place, I need not now consider. But I must
confess that I should think such a marriage very--very ill-judged.
A better-hearted young man than Lord Lufton does not exist, nor one
with better principles, or a deeper regard for his word; but he is
exactly the man to be mistaken in any hurried outlook as to his
future life. Were you and he to become man and wife, such a marriage
would tend to the happiness neither of him nor of you." It was
clear that the whole lecture was now coming; and as Lucy had openly
declared her own weakness, and thrown all the power of decision into
the hands of Lady Lufton, she did not see why she should endure this.

"We need not argue about that, Lady Lufton," she said. "I have told
you the only circumstances under which I would marry your son; and
you, at any rate, are safe."

"No; I was not wishing to argue," answered Lady Lufton, almost
humbly; "but I was desirous of excusing myself to you, so that you
should not think me cruel in withholding my consent. I wished to make
you believe that I was doing the best for my son."

"I am sure that you think you are, and therefore no excuse is
necessary."

"No, exactly; of course it is a matter of opinion, and I do think so.
I cannot believe that this marriage would make either of you happy,
and therefore I should be very wrong to express my consent."

"Then, Lady Lufton," said Lucy, rising from her chai