iciency of a name or of a fortune to
constitute felicity. Lord Herriefield was of a suspicious and harsh
temper, the first propensity being greatly increased by his former
associations, and the latter not being removed by the humility of his
eastern dependants. But the situation of her child gave no uneasiness to
the managing mother, who thought her in the high-road to happiness, and
was gratified at the result of her labors. Once or twice, indeed, her
habits had overcome her caution so much as to endeavor to promote, a day
or two sooner than had been arranged, the wedding of Grace; but her
imprudence was checked instantly by the recoiling of Moseley from her
insinuations in disgust; and the absence of the young man for twenty-four
hours gave her timely warning of the danger of such an interference with
one of such fastidious feelings. John punished himself as much as the
dowager on these occasions; but the smiling face of Grace, with her hand
frankly placed in his own at his return, never failed to do away the
unpleasant sensations created by her mother's care.

The Chatterton and Jarvis families met in the rooms, soon after the
arrival of the latter, when the lady of the knight, followed by both her
daughters, approached the dowager with a most friendly salute of
recognition. Lady Chatterton, really forgetful of the persons of her B----
acquaintance, and disliking the vulgarity of her air, drew up into an
appearance of great dignity, as she hoped the lady was well. The
merchant's wife felt the consciousness of rank too much to be repulsed in
this manner, and believing that the dowager had merely forgotten her face,
she added, with a simpering smile, in imitation of what she had seen
better bred people practise with success--

"Lady Jarvis--my lady--your ladyship don't remember me--Lady Jarvis of the
Deanery, B----, Northamptonshire, and my daughters, Lady Egerton and Miss
Jarvis." Lady Egerton bowed stiffly to the recognising smile the dowager
now condescended to bestow; but Sarah, remembering a certain handsome lord
in the family, was more urbane, determining at the moment to make the
promotion of her mother and sister stepping-stones to greater elevation
for herself.

"I hope my lord is well," continued the city lady. "I regret that Sir
Timo, and Sir Harry, and Captain Jarvis, are not here this morning to pay
their respects to your ladyship; but as we shall see naturally a good deal
of each other, it must be defer