He found her in the most careless dishabille, wigless and unpainted, and

rolled up comfortably in an old wadded morning-gown that had seen years

of snuffy service. But she had out-lived her vanity. Hyde had chosen the

very hour in which she had nothing whatever to amuse her, and he was a

very welcome interruption. And, upon the whole, she liked her grandson.

She had paid his gambling-debts twice, she had taken the greatest

interest in his various duels, and sided passionately with him in one

abortive love-affair.

"Dick is no milksop," she would say approvingly, when told of any of his

escapades; "faith, he has my spirit exactly! I have a great deal more

temper than any one would believe me capable of"--which was not the

truth, for there were few people who really knew her ladyship who ever

felt inclined to doubt her capabilities in that direction.

So she heard the rattle of Hyde's sword, and the clatter of his feet on

the polished stairs, with a good deal of satisfaction. "I have him here,

and I shall do my best to keep him here," she thought. "Why should a

proper young fellow like Dick bury himself alive in the fens for a

Dutchwoman? In short, she has had enough, and too much, of him. His

grandmother has a prior claim, I hope, and then Arabella Suffolk will

help me. I foresee mischief and amusement.--Well, Dick, you rascal, so

you have had to leave America! I expected it. Oh, sir, I have heard all

about you from Adelaide! You are not to be trusted, either among men or

women. And pray where is the wife you made such a fracas about? Is she

in London with you?"

"No, madam: she preferred to remain at Hyde, and I have no happiness

beyond her desire."

"Here's flame! Here's constancy! And you have been married a whole year!

I am struck with admiration."

"A whole year--a year of divine happiness, I assure you."

"Lord, sir! You will be the laughing-stock of the town if you talk in

such fashion. They will have you in the play-houses. Pray let us forget

our domestic joys a little. I hear, however, that your divinity is

rich."

"She is not poor; though if"-"Though if she had been a beggar-girl you would have married her, rags

and all. Swear to that, Dick, especially when she brings you fifty

thousand pounds. I'm very much obliged to her; you can hardly, for

shame, put your fingers in my poor purse now, sir. And you can make a

good figure in the world; and as your cousin Arabella Suffolk is staying

with me, you will be the properest gallant for her when Sir Thomas is at

the House."




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