out, and never forgive me.'

This pleasantry stopped her soft looks. Why she wished him to be with
her, she could not have said. For a thousand reasons: which implies no
distinct one something prophetically pressing in her blood.

CHAPTER XLVI. A LOVERS' PARTING

Now, to suppose oneself the fashioner of such a chain of events as
this which brought the whole of the Harrington family in tender unity
together once more, would have elated an ordinary mind. But to the
Countess de Saldar, it was simply an occasion for reflecting that she
had misunderstood--and could most sincerely forgive--Providence. She
admitted to herself that it was not entirely her work; for she never
would have had their place of meeting to be the Shop. Seeing, however,
that her end was gained, she was entitled to the credit of it, and could
pardon the means adopted. Her brother lord of Beckley Court, and all
of them assembled in the old 193, Main Street, Lymport! What matter for
proud humility! Providence had answered her numerous petitions, but in
its own way. Stipulating that she must swallow this pill, Providence
consented to serve her. She swallowed it with her wonted courage. In
half an hour subsequent to her arrival at Lymport, she laid siege to
the heart of Old Tom Cogglesby, whom she found installed in the
parlour, comfortably sipping at a tumbler of rum-and-water. Old Tom was
astonished to meet such an agreeable unpretentious woman, who talked of
tailors and lords with equal ease, appeared to comprehend a man's habits
instinctively, and could amuse him while she ministered to them.

'Can you cook, ma'am?' asked Old Tom.

'All but that,' said the Countess, with a smile of sweet meaning.

'Ha! then you won't suit me as well as your mother.'

'Take care you do not excite my emulation,' she returned, graciously,
albeit disgusted at his tone.

To Harriet, Old Tom had merely nodded. There he sat, in the arm-chair,
sucking the liquor, with the glimpse of a sour chuckle on his cheeks.
Now and then, during the evening, he rubbed his hands sharply, but spoke
little. The unbending Harriet did not conceal her disdain of him. When
he ventured to allude to the bankruptcy, she cut him short.

'Pray, excuse me--I am unacquainted with affairs of business--I cannot
even understand my husband.'

'Lord bless my soul!' Old Tom exclaimed, rolling his eyes.

Caroline had informed her sisters up-stairs that their mother was
ignorant of Evan's chang