h to be
annoyed by any useless appeals; in short, no letter that you write
will reach him, as we are traveling from place to place, and shall
be so until the wedding-day.

"In conclusion, I can but say I hope you will look at the matter in
a sensible light. You, a farmer's niece, have no right to aspire to
the position of an earl's wife, and you have every reason to think
yourself fortunate that worse has not happened.

"LUCIA, COUNTESS OF LANSWELL."

"There," said my lady, as she folded up the letter, "to most people that
would be a quietus. If she has half as much spirit as I give her credit
for, that little touch about the 'vulgar intrusion' will prevent her
from writing to him. I think this will effectually put an end to all
further proceedings."

She sealed the letter and sent it, at the same time sending one to her
solicitor, Mr. Sewell, telling him of the happy event pending, and
begging of him to arrange with the girl at once.

"If one thousand a year does not satisfy her, offer her two; offer
her anything, so that we are completely rid of her. From motives of
prudence it would be better for her to leave that place at once;
advise her to go abroad, or emigrate, or anything, so that she may
not annoy us again, and do not write to me about her; I do not wish
to be annoyed. Settle the business yourself, and remember that I
have no wish to know anything about it."

That letter was sent with the other, and my lady sunk back with an air
of great relief.

"Thank Heaven!" she said to herself, "that is over. Ah, me! what mothers
have to suffer with their sons, and yet few have been so docile as
mine."

A few days afterward the countess sought her son. She had no grounds for
what she said, but she imagined herself speaking the truth.

"Lance," she said, "I have good news for you. That tiresome little
affair of yours is all settled, and there will be no need for us ever to
mention the subject again. The girl has consented to take the thousand a
year, and she--she is happy and content."

He looked at her with haggard eyes.

"Happy and content, mother?" he said. "Are you quite sure of that?"

"Sure as I am that you, Lance, are one of the most fortunate men in this
world. Now take my advice, and let us have no more mention of the
matter. I am tired of it, and I am sure that you must be the same. Try
from this time to be happy with Lady M