Cashel Byron's Profession

"I was wrong, Lydia; but I grudged him you. I know I have acted

hastily; and I will apologize to him. I wish matters had fallen out

otherwise."

"They could not have done so; and I believe you will yet acknowledge

that they have arranged themselves very well. And now that the

phoenix is disposed of, I want to read you a letter I have received

from Alice Goff, which throws quite a new light on her character. I

have not seen her since June, and she seems to have gained three

years' mental growth in the interim. Listen to this, for example."

And so the conversation turned upon Alice.

When Lucian returned to his chambers, he wrote the following note,

which he posted to Cashel Byron before going to bed: "Dear Sir,--I beg to enclose you a bank-note which you left here

this evening. I feel bound to express my regret for what passed on

that occasion, and to assure you that it proceeded from a

misapprehension of your purpose in calling on me. The nervous

disorder into which the severe mental application and late hours of

the past session have thrown me must be my excuse. I hope to have

the pleasure of meeting you again soon, and offering you personally

my congratulations on your approaching marriage. "I am, dear sir,

yours truly, "Lucian Webber."