erson is Lord
Montfort.'

'He is indeed an excellent person,' said Lady Armine; 'but if I had been
engaged to you, Ferdinand, and it ended by my marrying Lord Montfort, I
should be very disappointed.'

'The duchess would be of a different opinion,' said Ferdinand.

Lady Bellair, who was sitting on a sofa opposite, and had hitherto been
conversing with the duchess, who had now quitted her and joined
the musicians, began shaking her fan at Ferdinand in a manner which
signified her extreme desire that he should approach her.

'Well, Lady Bellair,' said Ferdinand, seating himself by her side.

'I am in the secret, you know,' said her ladyship.

'What secret, Lady Bellair?'

'Ah! you will not commit yourself. Well, I like discretion. I have
always seen it from the first. No one has worked for you as I have. I
like true love, and I have left her all my china in my will.'

'I am sure the legatee is very fortunate, whoever she may be.'

'Ah, you rogue, you know very well whom I mean. You are saucy; you never
had a warmer friend than myself. I always admired you; you have a great
many good qualities and a great many bad ones. You always were a little
saucy. But I like a little spice of sauciness; I think it takes. I hear
you are great friends with Count Thingabob; the Count, whose
grandfather I danced with seventy years ago. That is right; always have
distinguished friends. Never have fools for friends; they are no use. I
suppose he is in the secret too.'

'Really, Lady Bellair, I am in no secret. You quite excite my
curiosity.'

'Well, I can't get anything out of you, I see that. However, it all
happened at my house, that can't be denied. I tell you what I will do;
I will give you all a dinner, and then the world will be quite certain
that I made the match.'

Lady Armine joined them, and Ferdinand seized the opportunity of
effecting his escape to the piano.

'I suppose Henrietta has found her voice again, now,' whispered
Katherine to her cousin.

'Dear Katherine, really if you are so malicious, I shall punish you,'
said Ferdinand.

'Well, the comedy is nearly concluded. We shall join hands, and the
curtain will drop.'

'And I hope, in your opinion, not an unsuccessful performance.'

'Why, I certainly cannot quarrel with the catastrophe,' said Miss
Grandison.

In the meantime, the Count Mirabel had obtained possession of Mr.
Temple, and lost no opportunity of confirming every favourable view
which that g