entleman had been influenced by Lord Montfort to take of
Ferdinand and his conduct. Mr. Temple was quite convinced that his
daughter must be very happy, and that the alliance, on the whole, would
be productive of every satisfaction that he had ever anticipated.

The evening drew on; carriages were announced; guests retired; Ferdinand
lingered; Mr. Temple was ushering Lady Bellair, the last guest, to her
carriage; Ferdinand and Henrietta were alone. They looked at each
other, their eyes met at the same moment, there was but one mode of
satisfactorily terminating their mutual embarrassments: they sprang into
each other's arms. Ah, that was a moment of rapture, sweet, thrilling,
rapid! There was no need of words, their souls vaulted over all petty
explanations; upon her lips, her choice and trembling lips, he sealed
his gratitude and his devotion.

The sound of footsteps was heard, the agitated Henrietta made her escape
by an opposite entrance. Mr. Temple returned, he met Captain Armine with
his hat, and enquired whether Henrietta had retired; and when Ferdinand
answered in the affirmative, wished him good-night, and begged him to
breakfast with them to-morrow.

CHAPTER XXV.

_Which, Though Final, It Is Hoped Will Prove Satisfactory_.

OUR kind reader will easily comprehend that from the happy day we have
just noticed, Ferdinand Armine was seldom absent from Grosvenor-square,
or from the society of Henrietta Temple. Both were so happy that they
soon overcame any little embarrassment which their novel situation
might first occasion them. In this effort, however, they were greatly
encouraged by the calm demeanour of Lord Montfort and the complacent
carriage of his intended bride. The world wondered and whispered,
marvelled and hinted, but nothing disturbed Lord Montfort, and Katherine
had the skill to silence raillery. Although it was settled that
the respective marriages should take place as soon as possible, the
settlements necessarily occasioned delay. By the application of his
funded property, and by a charge upon his Yorkshire estates, Mr. Temple
paid off the mortgages on Armine, which, with a certain life-charge
in his own favour, was settled in strict entail upon the issue of his
daughter. A certain portion of the income was to be set aside annually
to complete the castle, and until that edifice was ready to receive
them, Ferdinand and Henrietta were to live with Mr. Temple, principally
at Ducie, which