ith,' said Ferdinand, affecting to smile.

'Believe, then, in optimism,' said Henrietta Temple, without taking her
eyes off the cards. 'Whatever is, is best.'

'That is not my creed, Miss Temple,' said Ferdinand, and he rose and was
about to retire.

'Must you go? Let us all do something to-morrow!' said Lord Montfort,
interchanging a glance with Henrietta. 'The British Museum; Miss
Grandison wishes to go to the British Museum. Pray come with us.'

'You are very good, but------'

'Well! I will write you a little note in the morning and tell you our
plans,' said Lord Montfort. 'I hope you will not desert us.'

Ferdinand bowed and retired: he avoided catching the eye of Henrietta.

The carriages of Miss Temple and Miss Grandison were soon announced,
and, fatigued with their riding-dresses, these ladies did not long
remain.

'To-day has been a day of trial,' said Henrietta, as she was about to
bid Lord Montfort farewell. 'What do you think of affairs? I saw you
speaking to Katherine. What do you think?'

'I think Ferdinand Armine is a formidable rival. Do you know, I am
rather jealous?'

'Digby! can you be ungenerous?'

'My sweet Henrietta, pardon my levity. I spoke in the merest
playfulness. Nay,' he continued, for she seemed really hurt, 'say good
night very sweetly.'

'Is there any hope?' said Henrietta.

'All's well that ends well,' said Lord Montfort, smiling; 'God bless
you.'

Glastonbury was about to retire, when Lord Montfort returned and asked
him to come up to his lordship's own apartments, as he wished to show
him a curious antique carving.

'You seemed rather surprised at the guests you found here to-night,'
said Lord Montfort when they were alone.

Glastonbury looked a little confused. 'It was certainly a curious
meeting, all things considered,' continued Lord Montfort: 'Henrietta has
never concealed anything of the past from me, but I have always wished
to spare her details. I told her this morning I should speak to you upon
the subject, and that is the reason why I have asked you here.'

'It is a painful history,' said Glastonbury.

'As painful to me as anyone,' said his lordship; 'nevertheless, it must
be told. When did you first meet Miss Temple?'

'I shall never forget it,' said Glastonbury, sighing and moving very
uneasily in his chair. 'I took her for Miss Grandison.' And Glastonbury
now entered into a complete history of everything that had occurred.

'It is a strange, a wonde