fore
him, the same Henrietta whom he had met, for the first time, in the
pleasaunce at Armine. Retreat was impossible. Her Grace received
Ferdinand cordially, and reminded him of old days. Henrietta bowed, but
she was sitting at some distance with Miss Grandison, looking at some
work. Her occupation covered her confusion. Lord Montfort came forward
with extended hand.

'I have the pleasure of meeting an old friend,' said his lordship.

Ferdinand just touched his lordship's finger, and bowed rather stiffly;
then, turning to his mother, he gave her Lady Bellair's note. 'It
concerns you more than myself,' he observed.

'You were not at Lady Bellair's last night, Captain Armine,' said her
Grace.

'I never go anywhere,' was the answer.

'He has been a great invalid,' said Lady Armine.

'Where is Glastonbury, Ferdinand?' said Lady Armine. 'He never comes
near us.'

'He goes every day to the British Museum.'

'I wish he would take me,' said Katherine. 'I have never been there.
Have you?' she enquired, turning to Henrietta.

'I am ashamed to say never,' replied Henrietta. 'It seems to me that
London is the only city of which I know nothing.'

'Ferdinand,' said Katherine, 'I wish you would go with us to the Museum
some day. Miss Temple would like to go. You know Miss Temple,' she
added, as if she of course supposed he had not that pleasure.

Ferdinand bowed; Lord Montfort came forward, and turned the conversation
to Egyptian antiquities. When a quarter of an hour had passed, Ferdinand
thought that he might now withdraw.

'Do you dine at home, Katherine, to-day?' he enquired.

Miss Grandison looked at Miss Temple; the young ladies whispered.

'Ferdinand,' said Katherine, 'what are you going to do?'

'Nothing particular.'

'We are going to ride, and Miss Temple wishes you would come with us.'

'I should be very happy, but I have some business to attend to.'

'Dear Ferdinand, that is what you always say. You really appear to me to
be the most busy person in the world.'

'Pray come, Captain Armine,' said Lord Montfort.

'Thank you; it is really not in my power.' His hat was in his hand;
he was begging her Grace to bear his compliments to the duke, when
Henrietta rose from her seat, and, coming up to him, said, 'Do, Captain
Armine, come with us; I ask you as a favour.'

That voice! Oh! it came o'er his ear 'like the sweet south;' it unmanned
him quite. He scarcely knew where he was. He trembled from head to