LORD OF MANY SECRETS

FORTY TWO

Miss Tellaro, having a book to change at Harriet's Library, was quite agreeable, and in a short time both ladies set forth in an open barouche, the day - though it was November - being so extremely mild that even Mrs Andromeda could not fear an inflammation of the lungs, or an injury to the complexion.

They arrived in Bold Street soon after two o'clock and found it as usual at that hour very full of carriages and smart company. Several tilburies and saddled horses were waiting outside Solomon's Hotel, and as Miss Tellaro's barouche passed the door of Clarkson's Boxing Saloon she saw her brother going in on Mr Fritzwa's arm. She waved to him, but did not stop, and the carriage drawing up presently outside a haberdasher's shop she set Mrs Andromeda down and drove on to the library.

She had just handed in Tales of Fashionable Life, and was glancing through the volumes of one of the new publications when she felt a touch on her sleeve and turned to find her cousin at her elbow.

She gave him her hand, gloved in lemon kid. "How do you do? I believe one is sure of meeting everyone at Harriet's, sooner or later. Tell me, have you read this novel? I have just picked it at random from the shelf. I don't know who wrote it, but do, my dear cousin, read where I have quite by accident opened the volume!"

He looked over her shoulder. Her finger pointed to a line. While he read she watched him, smiling, to see what effect the words must produce on him.

"I am glad of it. He seems a most gentleman-like man; and I think, Elinor, I may congratulate you on the prospect of a very respectable establishment in life".

"Me, brother! What do you mean?"

"He likes you. I observe him narrowly, and am convinced of it. What is the amount of his fortune?"

"I believe about two thousand a year".

"Two whole thousand a year?" and then working himself up to a pitch of enthusiastic generosity, he added, "Elinor, I wish with all my heart it were twice as much for your sake".

A laugh assured Miss Tellaro that this passage had struck her cousin just as she believed it must. She said, closing the volume, "surely the writer of that must possess a most lively mind? I am determined to take this book. It seems all to be written about ordinary people, and, do you know, I am quite tired of Sicilian and European Counts who behave in such a very odd way. Sense and sensibility! Well, after Midnight Bells and Horror Mysteries that has a pleasant ring, don't you agree?"

"Undoubtedly. I think it has not yet come in my way, but if you report well of it I shall certainly ask for it. Are you walking? May I be your escort?"

"My carriage is waiting outside. I have to call at Joe's for Mrs Andromeda. I wish you may accompany me".

He was all compliance, and having handed her into the carriage, took his seat beside her, and said with a grave look, "I believe my father has been to call on you this morning".

She inclined her head. "Yes, my uncle was with us for about an hour".

"I can guess his errand. I am sorry for it".

"There is no need. He considers that Parte of too young to be thinking of marriage, and in part I agree with him".

"Parte's friends must all feel the truth of that. It is a pity. He has seen very little of the world, and at nineteen, you know, one's taste is not fixed. My father has never been a believer in early marriages. But it may yet come to nothing, I daresay".

"I do not think it", Elizabeth said decidedly. "Parte is young, but he knows his own mind, and once that is made up there is generally no changing it. I believe the attachment to be deep, it is certainly mutual. And, you know, however much I may regret an engagement entered into so soon I could not wish to see it broken".

He assented. "It would be very bad. We can only wish him happy. I am not acquainted with Miss Mamala. You like her?"

"She is a very amiable, good sort of girl", responded Elizabeth.

"I am glad. The wedding, I conclude, will not be long put off?"

"I am not perfectly sure. Lord Clements spoke of six months, but Parte hopes to be able to induce him to consent to its taking place sooner. I don't know how he will succeed".

"I imagine Lord Clements will be more likely to find the means of postponing it".

She turned an inquiring look upon him. He shook his head. "We shall see, but I own myself a little worried. I don't understand Clements' consenting to this marriage. But it is possible that I misjudge him".

The barouche drew up outside the haberdasher's, and Mrs Andromeda coming out of the shop directly Elizabeth could not pursue the subject further. Her cousin stepped down to help Mrs Andromeda into the carriage. He declined getting in again, he had business to transact in the neighborhood. They left him on the pavement, and drove slowly on down the street.

Coming opposite to Clarkson's again some little press of traffic obliged the coachman to pull his horse in to a standstill, and before they could move on two gentlemen came out of the Saloon, and stood for a moment on the pavement immediately beside the barouche. One was the Earl of Clements, the other was Colonel Anderson, a close friend of the Duke of Aprilia, with whom Miss Tellaro was only slightly acquainted. Both gentlemen bowed to her, Colonel Anderson walked away up the street, and Clements stepped forward to the barouche. "Well, my ward?" he said. "How do you do, cousin?"

"Are you going our way?" inquired Mrs Andromeda. "May we take you up?"

"To the bottom of the street, if you will", he answered, getting into the carriage.