he most flattering assurances of his success, when George, just
arrived from America, having first paid his greetings to his reconciled
parents, and the happy couple of his generosity, flew to the arms of his
brother in Suffolk.

Francis was overjoyed to see George, and George delighted in the visible
improvement of his brother. Still Francis was far, very far behind his
junior in graces of mind and body; indeed, few men in England were more
adapted by nature and education for female society than was Colonel
Denbigh at the period of which we write.

Marian witnessed all his attractions, and deeply felt their influence; for
the first time she felt the emotions of the gentle passion; and after
having sported in the gay world, and trifled with the feelings of others
for years, the countess in her turn became an unwilling victim to its
power. George met her flame with a corresponding ardor, and the struggle
between ambition and love became severe; the brothers unconsciously were
rivals.

Had George for a moment suspected the situation of the feelings of
Francis, his very superiority in the contest would have induced him to
retreat from the unnatural rivalry. Had the elder dreamt of the views of
his junior, he would have abandoned his dearest hopes in utter despair.
Francis had so long been accustomed to consider George as his superior in
everything, that a competition with him would have appeared desperate.
Marian contrived to keep both in hopes, undecided herself which to choose,
and perhaps ready to yield to the first applicant. A sudden event,
however, removed all doubts, and decided the fate of the three.

The Duke of Derwent and his bachelor brother became so dissatisfied with
the character of their future heir, that they as coolly set about
providing themselves with wives as they had performed any other ordinary
transaction of life, They married cousins, and on the same day the choice
of the ladies was assigned between them by lots; and if his grace got the
prettier, his brother certainly got the richest; under the circumstances a
very tolerable distribution of fortune's favors.

These double marriages dissolved the charm of Francis, and Lady Pendennyss
determined to consult her wishes; a little pointed encouragement brought
out the declaration of George, and he was accepted.

Francis, who had never communicated his feelings to any one but the lady,
and that only indirectly, was crushed by the blow. He continued