e of a
broken heart. Poor young Mr. Orme has all the world before him and
will soon console himself."

"But he is so attached to her. And then The Cleeve is so near."

"We must give up all that, my dear."

"Very well," said Lady Staveley; and from that moment it may be said
that she had given in her adhesion to the Graham connection. When
some time after she gave her orders to Baker as to preparing a room
for Mr. Graham, it was made quite clear to that excellent woman by
her mistress's manner and anxiety as to the airing of the sheets,
that Miss Madeline was to have her own way in the matter.

But long previous to these preparations Madeline and her mother had
discussed the matter fully. "Papa says that Mr. Graham is to come
here for the assize week," said Lady Staveley.

"Yes; so he told me," Madeline replied, very bashfully.

"I suppose it's all for the best."

"I hope it is," said Madeline. What could she do but hope so?

"Your papa understands everything so very well that I am sure he
would not let him come if it were not proper."

"I suppose not," said Madeline.

"And now I look upon the matter as all settled."

"What matter, mamma?"

"That he--that he is to come here as your lover."

"Oh, no, mamma. Pray don't imagine that. It is not so at all. What
should I do if you were to say anything to make him think so?"

"But you told me that you loved him."

"So I do, mamma."

"And he told your papa that he was desperately in love with you."

"I don't know, mamma."

"But he did;--your papa told me so, and that's why he asked him to
come down here again. He never would have done it without."

Madeline had her own idea about this, believing that her father had
thought more of her wants in the matter than he had of those of Felix
Graham; but as to this she said nothing. "Nevertheless, mamma, you
must not say that to any one," she answered. "Mr. Graham has never
spoken to me,--not a word. I should of course have told you had he
done so."

"Yes, I am sure of that. But, Madeline, I suppose it's all the same.
He asked papa for permission to speak to you, and your papa has given
it."

"I'm sure I don't know, mamma."

It was a quarter of an hour after that when Lady Staveley again
returned to the subject. "I am sure Mr. Graham is very clever, and
all that."

"Papa says that he is very clever indeed."

"I'm quite sure he is, and he makes himself very nice in the house,
always talking when there are