But I fear that the love of sentiment into which she was too fast falling, and which made her stay away two nights running from the Opera, will have gained head on the banks of the Dove, with you for a companion. I see, therefore, I should have no chance. But if she will but hold up a finger for me, and I interfere not with Clayton's hopes, or yours, I will lay myself at her feet in four-and-twenty hours.

"There! I think I have answered your letter in all its points: so I will only add my humble duty to the most potent, grave, and reverend signor, your uncle, and subscribe myself, my dear ruris amator, Mortimer,

This gay answer to Lord Mowbray's invitation, De Vere had communicated to his uncle, previous to his going to shoot on the morning we are commemorating; and it was only in the last stage of the conversation we have recorded, that the ladies of the castle were apprised of it. Lord Mowbray in fact now appeared with the letter in his hand; and having only, as he said, skimmed it, and the ladies had not seen it, condescendingly said, Mortimer should read it to them.

"And what do you think of it?" said Mortimer, when he had finished.

"It is, at least, a lively letter," observed Lord Mowbray; "and but for the light manner in which he thinks it not unbecoming to mention me, which I do not altogether like, I could laugh with his lordship at your woods and fields. But to mention a minister with the least mockery, is, at least, unseemly, and beneath a person of his birth and breeding."

"But what does my fair cousin think?" asked Mortimer, "and what shall I say to him of the finger to be held up?"

"I have little right to think about it," replied Lady Constance. "The letter is, to me, full of affected sprightliness, which I do not relish, coming from the quarter it does. It will not make me like Lord Cleveland better thair I did; there are things in it, too, which I look upon as impertinent."

"You surely take it too gravely," observed Mortimer," and should allow for badinage."

"As much as you please,” replied Constance, "where the person, from situation, has a privilege to rally one.”

"Are

you

not too serious ?" said Mortimer.

"I hope not, though I know how much it is

the very summit of fashion to admire this high person for his agreeable freedoms.

To me,

there is a distinction between freedom and forwardness, which, if I had not marked it in others, his lordship would never fail to make me see."

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My dear cousin," cried Mortimer, with some surprise," what are your proofs ?"

"They are such as are more demonstrable to one's own feeling, than another's satisfaction; it is enough that he accosts all women, of whatever rank or character, with a confidence of look and manner which is downright affronting. It seems to say, none can resist me."

"If this is so," observed Lord Mowbray, "I must say, I think Lady Constance quite right."

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My father will decide as he pleases," continued Constance, but with great coldness.

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Why, really," said Lord Mowbray, "a nobleman of his quality, alliances, and credit, and our own relation, too, cannot, after all, be turned away, if he choose to make us a visit. Only I wish that he had replied to your letter, Mortimer, in a manner a little more distinct and respectful. I must say he is wanting to his own sense of proper breeding, to answer me in this flippant way."

"I have told you, my dear uncle, it is the way of the men of fashion at present.

"It was not so in my time," returned Lord Mowbray, "but I suppose he must come."

"Well, then," observed Constance, consoling herself, as if she had recollected something pleasant, "while we have so great a personage to shine upon us, it will be a good time for the castle party," and she looked to her father for consent."

"Nothing can be more opportune," replied Lord Mowbray," for your birth-day approaches, and there cannot be a better occasion to celebrate that, as we can hold the castle party at the same time."

To all this, Constance assented with the pleasure of her age; and indeed she had for some days looked forward with interest to this little public féte, at which she was to preside for the first time, and be presented on her coming out to all her country friends.

VOL. I.

CHAPTER XXI.

COUNTY POLICY.

Have a care of your entertainments.

SHAKSPEARE.

THE castle party was an entertainment which Lord Mowbray every autumn, when relaxing from the deep anxieties of politics, had been in the habit of giving to his country neighbours. For he was neither avaricious nor averse to society, though, on these occasions, his hospitalities were plainly with a view to keep up his consequence in the county. Nor is there harm in this, as these parties are so estimated and so received. But the hospitalities of Lord Mowbray had hitherto this peculiar character, that they were thought constrained and dull by almost all who attended them, and who thanked and cared for his lordship as little as his lordship cared for them.

This had by no means escaped De Vere ; and