burst on us. I'm quite sick of clever men--one never
knows how to trust them; if they are not dishonest they are eccentric! I
have just been telling Honoria that clever men are, after all, the most
tiresome husbands. Well, what makes you so silent? What do you say? Why
don't you speak?"

"I am slowly recovering from my shock," said the Colonel. "So Darrell
shirks the CRISIS, and has not even hinted a preference for Honoria,
the very girl in all London that would have made him a safe, rational
companion. I told him so, and he never denied it. But it is a comfort to
think he is no loss. Old monster!"

"Nay," said Lady Selina, mollified by so much sympathy, "I don't say he
is no loss. Honestly speaking--between ourselves--I think he is a very
great loss. An alliance between him and Honoria would have united all
the Vipont influence. Lord Montfort has the greatest confidence in
Darrell; and if this CRISIS comes, it is absolutely necessary for the
Vipont interest that it should find somebody who can speak. Really, my
dear Colonel Morley, you, who have such an influence over this very odd
man, should exert it now. One must not be over-nice in times of CRISIS;
the country is at stake, Cousin Alban."

"I will do my best," said the Colonel; "I am quite aware that an
alliance which would secure Darrell's talents to the House of Vipont,
and the House of Vipont to Darrell's talents, would--but 'tis no
use talking, we must not sacrifice Honoria even on the altar of her
country's interest!"

"Sacrifice! Nonsense! The man is not young certainly, but then what a
grand creature, and so clever."

"Clever--yes! But that was your very objection to him five minutes ago."

"I forgot the CRISIS.--One don't want clever men every day, but there
are days when one does want them!"

"I envy you that aphorism. But from what you now imply, I fear that
Honoria may have allowed her thoughts to settle upon what may never take
place; and if so, she may fret."

"Fret! a daughter of mine fret!--and of all my daughters, Honoria! A
girl of the best-disciplined mind! Fret! what a word!--vulgar!"

COLONEL MORLEY.--"So it is; I blush for it; but let us understand each
other. If Darrell proposed for Honoria, you think, ambition apart, she
would esteem him sufficiently for a decided preference."

LADY SELINA,--"If that be his doubt, re-assure him. He is shy-men of
genius are; Honoria would esteem him! Till he has actually proposed it
would compromis