ul gouvernante! I assure you your fair ex-pupil is quite
safe. The furore about her has considerably abated since the
heiress-hunters at Bath discovered the melancholy fact that Miss
March--"

"Pardon me," interrupted the other; "we are among strangers. I assure
you I am quite satisfied about my dear child."

"What a charming thing is affectionate fidelity," observed her
ladyship, turning once more to John, with a sweet, lazy dropping of the
eyelids.

The young man only bowed. They resumed their conversation--at least,
she did, talking volubly; satisfied with monosyllabic answers.

It was now almost supper-time--held a glorious hour at Norton Bury
parties. People began to look anxiously to the door.

"Before we adjourn," said Lady Caroline, "I must do what it will be
difficult to accomplish after supper;" and for the first time a sharp,
sarcastic tone jarred in her smooth voice. "I must introduce you
especially to my husband. Mr. Brithwood?"

"Madam." He lounged up to her. They were a diverse pair. She, in her
well-preserved beauty, and Gallic artificial grace--he, in his coarse,
bloated youth, coarser and worse than the sensualism of middle age.

"Mr. Brithwood, let me introduce you to a new friend of mine."

The 'squire bowed, rather awkwardly; proving the truth of what Norton
Bury often whispered, that Richard Brithwood was more at home with
grooms than gentlemen.

"He belongs to this your town--you must have heard of him, perhaps met
him."

"I have more than had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Brithwood, but he has
doubtless forgotten it."

"By Jove! I have. What might your name be, sir?"

"John Halifax."

"What, Halifax the tanner?"

"The same."

"Phew!"--He began a low whistle, and turned on his heel.

John changed colour a little. Lady Caroline laughed--a thoughtless,
amused laugh, with a pleasant murmur of "Bete!"--"Anglais!"--
Nevertheless, she whispered to her husband--

"Mon ami--you forget; I have introduced you to this gentleman."

"Gentleman indeed! Pooh! rubbish! Lady Caroline--I'm busy talking."

"And so are we, most pleasantly. I only called you as a matter of
form, to ratify my invitation. Mr. Halifax will, I hope, dine with us
next Sunday?"

"The devil he will!"

"Richard--you hurt me!"--with a little scream, as she pushed his rough
fingers from her arm, so soft, and round, and fair.

"Madam, you must be crazy. The young man is a tradesman--a tanner. Not
fit