the drawing-room, and approaching Lady Emily, said, "I have to
apologize to you, Lady Emily, inasmuch as it is I who am to blame
for Miss Gourlay's not having seen you sooner. On a subject of such
importance, it is natural that a father should have some private
conversation with her, and indeed this was the case; allow me now to
conduct you to her."

"There is no apology whatsoever necessary, Sir Thomas," replied her
ladyship, taking his arm, and casting a rapid but precious glance at
Roberts. As they went up stairs, the baronet said, in a voice of great
anxiety,

"You will oblige me, Lady Emily, by keeping her from the looking-glass
as much as possible. I have got her maid--who, although rather plain
in her manners, has excellent taste in all matters connected with the
toilette--I have got her to say, while dressing her, that it is not
considered lucky for a bride to see herself in a looking-glass on the
day of her marriage."

"But why should she not, Sir Thomas?" asked the innocent and lovely
girl: "if ever a lady should consult her glass, it is surely upon such
an occasion as this."

"I grant it," he replied; "but then her paleness--is--is--her looks
altogether are so--in fact, you may understand me, Lady Emily--she is,
in consequence of her very delicate health--in consequence of that,
I say, she is more like a corpse than a living being--in complexion
I mean. And now, my dear Lady Emily, will you hurry her? I am
anxious--that is to say, we all are--to have the ceremony over as soon
as it possibly can. She will then feel better, of course."

Dr. Sombre, seeing that one of the necessary audience to his little
homily had disappeared, seemed rather disappointed, but addressed
himself to Roberts upon a very different subject.

"I dare say," said he, "we shall have a very capital dejeuner to-day."

Roberts was startled at the rapid and carnal nature of the transition
in such a reverend-looking old gentleman; but as the! poor Doctor
had sustained a disappointment on the subject of the homily, he was
determined to afford him some comfort on this.

"I understand," said he, "from the best authority, that nothing like it
has been seen for years in the city. Several of the nobility and gentry
have privately solicited Sir Thomas for copies of the bill of fare."

"That is all right," replied the Doctor, "that is all excellent, my good
young friend. Who is that large gentleman who has just come in?"

"Why, sir," repli