use me.

Do not see or receive any communication from Mr. Linden till Wednesday;
and on that day at the hour of twelve suffer me to meet him at your
house. I will then either prove him to be the basest of impostors, or,
if I fail in this and Lady Flora honours my rival with one sentiment
of preference, I will without a murmur submit to her decree and my
rejection. Dare I trust that this petition will be accorded to one who
is, with great regard and esteem, etc.

"This is fortunate," said Lady Westborough gently to her daughter, who,
leaning her head on her mother's bosom, suffered hopes, the sweeter for
their long sleep, to divide, if not wholly to possess, her heart. "We
shall have now time well and carefully to reflect over what will be best
for your future happiness. We owe this delay to one to whom you have
been affianced. Let us, therefore, now merely write to Mr. Linden, to
inform him of Lord Ulswater's request; and to say that if he will meet
his lordship at the time appointed, we, that is I, shall be happy to see
him."

Lady Flora sighed, but she saw the reasonableness of her mother's
proposal, and pressing Lady Westborough's hand murmured her assent.

"At all events," thought Lady Westborough, as she wrote to Clarence,
"the affair can but terminate to advantage. If Lord Ulswater proves
Mr. Linden's unworthiness, the suit of the latter is of course at
rest forever: if not, and Mr. Linden be indeed all that he asserts,
my daughter's choice cannot be an election of reproach; Lord Ulswater
promises peaceably to withdraw his pretensions; and though Mr. Linden
may not possess his rank or fortune, he is certainly one with whom, if
of ancient blood, any family would be proud of an alliance."

Blending with these reflections a considerable share of curiosity
and interest in a secret which partook so strongly of romance, Lady
Westborough despatched her note to Clarence. The answer returned was
brief, respectful, and not only acquiescent in but grateful for the
proposal.

With this arrangement both Lady Westborough and Lady Flora were
compelled, though with very different feelings, to be satisfied; and an
agreement was established between them, to the effect that if Linden's
name passed unblemished through the appointed ordeal Lady Flora was to
be left to, and favoured in, her own election; while, on the contrary,
if Lord Ulswater succeeded in the proof he had spoken of, his former
footing in the family was to be f