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264 three minutes, and let me try my influence with Sir Robert." He left them without waiting; and Henrietta, after following him with eyes that looked the most eloquent thanks, turned to her companion, exclaiming,— "I cannot say much for the success of my first scheme, that you should be the second Lady Walpole; but what do you say to being the third Lady Norbourne? but, I warn you, in the last case we shall be rivals." The expression of Ethel's face quite checked her vivacity. For the first time it struck Lady Marchmont how much her friend was altered. Ethel had not even heard what she said, so completely was she lost in her own thoughts. She leant against the balustrade of the terrace, her gaze fixed on the river, but seeing it not. The flush of excitement had left her deadly pale; while the blue eyes looked unnaturally large, with a sad set expression, as if haunted by the perpetual presence of one oppressive thought. Henrietta