"Yes, a pretty Frenchwoman! quite romantic – attachment of some years' standing." -an Florence turned away her face, and said no more. "That's a good fellow, Lumley," said Lord Saxingham; "Florence is never more welcome to my eyes than at half-past one o'clock, A.M., when I associate her with thoughts of my natural rest, and my unfortunate carriagehorses. By the by, I wish you would dine with me next Saturday." "Saturday: unfortunately, I am engaged to my uncle." "Oh! he has behaved handsomely to you?" "Yes." "Mrs. Templeton pretty well?" "I fancy so." "As ladies wish to be, &c. ?" whispered his lordship. "No, thank Heaven!" "Well, if the old man could but make you his heir, we might think twice about the title." 66 My dear lord, stop! one favour-write me a line to hint that delicately." "No-no letters; letters always get into the papers." "But cautiously worded-no danger of publication, on my honour." "I'll think of it. Good night." END OF BOOK VI. BOOK VII. Χρὴ ὡς ἄριστον μὲν αὐτον πειρᾶσθαι, γίνεθσαι, μὴ μόνον δὲ αὐτὸν νομίζειν ἄριστον δύνασθαι γενέσθαι, &c.-PLOTIN. ΕN. 11. lib. ix. c. 9. Every man should strive to be as good as possible, but not suppose himself to be the only thing that is good. BOOK VII. CHAPTER I. "Deceit is the strong but subtile chain which runs through all the members of a society, and links them together; trick or be tricked, is the alternative; 'tis the way of the world, and without it intercourse would drop."-Anonymous Writer of 1722. "A lovely child she was, of looks serene, And motions which o'er things indifferent shed "His years but young, but his experience old." "He after honour hunts, I after love."-Ibid. SHAKSPEARE. LUMLEY FERRERS was one of the few men in the world who act upon a profound, deliberate and organized system -he had done so even from a boy. When he was twentyone, he had said to himself, "Youth is the season for enjoyment: the triumphs of manhood, the wealth of age, do not compensate for a youth spent in unpleasurable toils." Agreeably to this maxim, he had resolved not to adopt any profession; and being fond of travel, and of a restless temper, he had indulged abroad in all the gratifications that his moderate income could afford him: that income went further on the Continent than at home, which was another reason for the prolongation of his travels. Now, when the whims and passions of youth were sated; and, ripened by a consummate and various knowledge of mankind, his harder capacities of mind became developed and centered into such ambition as it was his nature to conceive, he acted no less upon a regular and methodical plan of conduct, which he carried into details. He had little or nothing within himself to cross his cold theories by U |