-in-law.
Mr. Temple is too sensible a man to hesitate, particularly when I remove
the greatest difficulty he must experience. Where shall I out you down?
Berkeley-Square?'

CHAPTER XXII.

_Ferdinand Meditates over His Good Fortune_.

IN MOMENTS of deep feeling, alike sudden bursts of prosperity as in
darker hours, man must be alone. It requires some self-communion to
prepare ourselves for good fortune, as well as to encounter difficulty,
and danger, and disgrace. This violent and triumphant revolution in his
prospects and his fortunes was hardly yet completely comprehended by our
friend, Ferdinand Armine; and when he had left a note for the generous
Mirabel, whose slumbers he would not disturb at this early hour, even
with good news, he strolled along up Charles-street, and to the Park,
in one of those wild and joyous reveries in which we brood over coming
bliss, and create a thousand glorious consequences.

It was one of those soft summer mornings which are so delightful in a
great city. The sky was clear, the air was bland, the water sparkled
in the sun, and the trees seemed doubly green and fresh to one who so
recently had gazed only on iron bars. Ferdinand felt his freedom as well
as his happiness. He seated himself on a bench and thought of Henrietta
Temple! he took out her note, and read it over and over again. It was
indeed her handwriting! Restless with impending joy, he sauntered to the
bridge, and leant over the balustrade, gazing on the waters in charmed
and charming vacancy. How many incidents, how many characters, how many
feelings flitted over his memory! Of what sweet and bitter experience
did he not chew the cud! Four-and-twenty hours ago, and he deemed
himself the most miserable and forlorn of human beings, and now all the
blessings of the world seemed showered at his feet! A beautiful bride
awaited him, whom he had loved with intense passion, and who he had
thought but an hour ago was another's. A noble fortune, which would
permit him to redeem his inheritance, and rank him among the richest
commoners of the realm, was to be controlled by one a few hours back a
prisoner for desperate debts. The most gifted individuals in the land
emulated each other in proving which entertained for him the most
sincere affection. What man in the world had friends like Ferdinand
Armine? Ferdinand Armine, who, two days back, deemed himself alone
in the world! The unswerving devotion of Glastonbury, the del