n his mind misgave him that he had been precipitate,
that he had been rash, and that she had taken advantage of him. After
all, how many things are there in the world more precious than a
handsome girl. And she had never told him that she loved him.

"I suppose you love me?" he asked.

"H'sh!--here they all are." The hand was withdrawn, but not before
both Mrs. Carbuncle and Lady Eustace had seen it.

Mrs. Carbuncle, in her great anxiety, bided her time, keeping close
to her niece. Perhaps she felt that if the two were engaged, it might
be well to keep the lovers separated for awhile, lest they should
quarrel before the engagement should have been so confirmed by the
authority of friends as to be beyond the power of easy annihilation.
Lucinda rode quite demurely with the crowd. Sir Griffin remained near
her, but without speaking. Lizzie whispered to Lord George that there
had been a proposal. Mrs. Carbuncle sat in stately dignity on her
horse, as though there were nothing which at that moment especially
engaged her attention. An hour almost had passed before she was able
to ask the important question, "Well;--what have you said to him?"

"Oh;--just what you would have me."

"You have accepted him?"

"I suppose I was obliged. At any rate I did. You shall know
one thing, Aunt Jane, at any rate, and I hope it will make you
comfortable. I hate a good many people; but of all the people in the
world I hate Sir Griffin Tewett the worst."

"Nonsense, Lucinda."

"It shall be nonsense, if you please; but it's true. I shall have to
lie to him,--but there shall be no lying to you, however much you may
wish it. I hate him!"

This was very grim, but Mrs. Carbuncle quite understood that to
persons situated in great difficulty things might be grim. A
certain amount of grimness must be endured. And she knew, too, that
Lucinda was not a girl to be driven without showing something of an
intractable spirit in harness. Mrs. Carbuncle had undertaken the
driving of Lucinda, and had been not altogether unsuccessful. The
thing so necessary to be done was now effected. Her niece was engaged
to a man with a title, to a man reported to have a fortune, to a man
of family, and a man of the world. Now that the engagement was made,
the girl could not go back from it, and it was for Mrs. Carbuncle to
see that neither should Sir Griffin go back. Her first steps must be
taken at once. The engagement should be made known to all the party,
and