'if I might venture indeed to speak
of one whom I will not name, and yet-----'

'Pray speak, sir,' said Miss Temple, in a kind, yet hushed voice.

'The child of our affections, madam, is not what he was. God, in His
infinite mercy, has visited him with great afflictions.'

'You speak of Captain Armine, sir?'

'I speak indeed of my broken-hearted Ferdinand; I would I could say
yours. O Miss Temple, he is a wreck.' 'Yes! yes!' said Henrietta in a
low tone.

'What he has endured,' continued Glastonbury, 'passes all description
of mine. His life has indeed been spared, but under circumstances that
almost make me regret he lives.'

'He has not married!' muttered Henrietta.

'He came to Ducie to claim his bride, and she was gone,' said
Glastonbury; 'his mind sunk under the terrible bereavement. For weeks
he was a maniac; and, though Providence spared him again to us, and
his mind, thanks to God, is again whole, he is the victim of a
profound melancholy, that seems to defy alike medical skill and worldly
vicissitude.'

'Digby, Digby!' exclaimed Isabella, who was at the harp, 'Henrietta is
fainting.' Lord Montfort rushed forward just in time to seize her cold
hand.

'The room is too hot,' said one sister.

'The coffee is too strong,' said the other.

'Air,' said the young duchess.

Lord Montfort carried Henrietta into a distant room. There was a balcony
opening into a garden. He seated her on a bench, and never quitted
her side, but contrived to prevent anyone approaching her. The women
clustered together.

'Sweet creature!' said the old duchess, 'she often makes me tremble;
she has but just recovered, Mr. Glastonbury, from a long and terrible
illness.'

'Indeed!' said Glastonbury.

'Poor dear Digby,' continued her grace, 'this will quite upset him
again. He was in such spirits about her health the other day.'

'Lord Montfort?' enquired Glastonbury.

'Our Digby. You know that he is to be married to Henrietta next month.'

'Holy Virgin!' muttered Glastonbury; and, seizing advantage of the
confusion, he effected his escape.

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BOOK VI. [CONTINUED]

CHAPTER IV.

_In Which Mr. Glastonbury Informs Captain Armine of His
Meeting with Miss Temple_.

IT WAS still an early hour when Mr. Glastonbury arrived at his hotel.
He understood, however, that Captain Armine had already returned and
retired. Glastonbury knock