ven sadly, and
kissed both his eyes, and then she remained for some moments in
silence with her face hid on his shoulder. Never since the loss of Lord
Roehampton had she seemed so subdued.

"It is a long separation," she at length said, with a voice and smile
equally faint, "and you must be a little wearied with your travelling.
Come and refresh yourself, and then I will show you my boudoir I have
made here; rather pretty, out of nothing. And then we will sit down and
have a long talk together, for I have much to tell you, and I want your
advice."

"She is going to marry Sidney Wilton," thought Endymion; "that is
clear."

The boudoir was really pretty, "made out of nothing;" a gay chintz, some
shelves of beautiful books, some fanciful chairs, and a portrait of Lord
Roehampton.

It was a long interview, very long, and if one could judge by the
countenance of Endymion, when he quitted the boudoir and hastened to his
room, of grave import. Sometimes his face was pale, sometimes scarlet;
the changes were rapid, but the expression was agitated rather than one
of gratification.

He sent instantly for his servant, and then penned this telegram to Lady
Montfort: "My visit here will be short. I am to see you immediately.
Nothing must prevent your being at home when I call to-morrow, about
four o'clock. Most, most important."

CHAPTER XCIII

"Well, something has happened at last," said Lady Montfort with a
wondering countenance; "it is too marvellous."

"She goes to Osborne to-day," continued Endymion, "and I suppose after
that, in due course, it will be generally known. I should think the
formal announcement would be made abroad. It has been kept wonderfully
close. She wished you to know it first, at least from her. I do not
think she ever hesitated about accepting him. There was delay from
various causes; whether there should be a marriage by proxy first in
this country, and other points; about religion, for example."

"Well?"

"She enters the Catholic Church, the Archbishop of Tyre has received
her. There is no difficulty and no great ceremonies in such matters. She
was re-baptized, but only by way of precaution. It was not necessary,
for our baptism, you know, is recognised by Rome."

"And that was all!"

"All, with a first communion and confession. It is all consummated now;
as you say, 'It is too wonderful.' A first confession, and to Nigel
Penruddock, who says life is flat and insipid!"

"I shall wri