you
had discovered, or that you might have learnt, that there was no real
intention of our union.'

'No, I was not thinking of your cousin,' said Lord Montfort; 'though,
to tell you the truth, I was once in hopes that you would marry her.
However, that I well know is entirely out of the question, for I believe
Miss Grandison will marry someone else.'

'Indeed!' exclaimed Ferdinand, a little agitated. 'Well! may she be
happy! I love Kate from the bottom of my heart. But who is the fortunate
fellow?'

''Tis a lady's secret,' said Lord Montfort. 'But let us return to our
argument. To be brief: either, my dear Armine, you must be convinced by
my reasoning, or I must remain here a prisoner like yourself; for, to
tell you the truth, there is a fair lady before whom I cannot present
myself except in your company.'

Ferdinand changed countenance. There wanted but this to confirm
his resolution, which had scarcely wavered. To owe his release to
Henrietta's influence with Lord Montfort was too degrading.

'My lord,' he said, 'you have touched upon a string that I had hoped
might have been spared me. This conversation must, indeed, cease. My
mouth is sealed from giving you the reasons, which nevertheless render
it imperative on me to decline your generous offer.'

'Well, then,' said Lord Montfort, 'I must see if another can be more
successful,' and he held forth a note to the astounded Ferdinand, in
Henrietta's writing. It dropped from Ferdinand's hand as he took it.
Lord Montfort picked it up, gave it him again, and walked to the other
end of the room. It was with extreme difficulty that Ferdinand prevailed
on himself to break the seal. The note was short; the hand that traced
the letters must have trembled. Thus it ran:--

'Dearest Ferdinand,--Do everything that Digby wishes. He is our best
friend. Digby is going to marry Katherine; are you happy? Henrietta.'

Lord Montfort looked round; Ferdinand Armine was lying senseless on the
sofa.

Our friend was not of a swooning mood, but we think the circumstances
may excuse the weakness.

As for Lord Montfort, he rang the bell for the little waiter, who, the
moment he saw what had occurred, hurried away and rushed up stairs again
with cold water, a bottle of brandy, and a blazing sheet of brown paper,
which he declared was an infallible specific. By some means or other
Ferdinand was in time recovered, and the little waiter was fairly
expelled.

'My dear friend,' said Fer