ment change
anyone; we shall soon see him himself again.'

'Never,' said Miss Grandison mournfully.

'You must inspire him,' said Lord Montfort. 'I perceive you have great
influence with him.'

'I give Lord Montfort credit for much acuter perception than that,' said
Miss Grandison.

Their eyes met: even Lord Montfort's dark vision shrank before the
searching glance of Miss Grandison. It conveyed to him that his purpose
was not undiscovered.

'But you can exert influence, if you please,' said Lord Montfort.

'But it may not please me,' said Miss Grandison.

At this moment Mr. Glastonbury was announced. He had a general
invitation, and was frequently in the habit of paying an evening visit
when the family were disengaged. When he found Ferdinand, Henrietta,
and Katherine, all assembled together, and in so strange a garb, his
perplexity was wondrous. The tone of comparative ease, too, with which
Miss Temple addressed him, completed his confusion. He began to suspect
that some critical explanation had taken place. He looked around for
information.

'We have all been riding,' said Lord Montfort.

'So I perceive,' said Glastonbury.

'And as we were too late for dinner, took refuge here,' continued his
lordship.

'I observe it,' said Glastonbury.

'Miss Grandison is an admirable musician, sir.'

'She is an admirable lady in every respect,' said Glastonbury.

'Perhaps you will join her in some canzonette; I am so stupid as not to
be able to sing. I wish I could induce Captain Armine.'

'He has left off singing,' said Glastonbury, mournfully. 'But Miss
Temple?' added Glastonbury, bowing to that lady.

'Miss Temple has left off singing, too,' said Lord Montfort, quietly.

'Come, Mr. Glastonbury,' said the duchess, 'time was when you and I have
sung together. Let us try to shame these young folks.' So saying,
her Grace seated herself at the piano, and the gratified Glastonbury
summoned all his energies to accompany her.

Lord Montfort seated himself by Ferdinand. 'You have been severely ill,
I am sorry to hear.'

'Yes; I have been rather shaken.'

'This spring will bring you round.'

'So everyone tells me. I cannot say I feel its beneficial influence.'

'You should,' said Lord Montfort. 'At our age we ought to rally
quickly.'

'Yes! Time is the great physician. I cannot say I have much more faith
in him than in the spring.'

'Well, then, there is Hope; what think you of that?'

'I have no great fa