Page:Ethel Churchill 3.pdf/71

Rh "Dearest Lady Marchmont, something has gone wrong between Norbourne and Miss Churchill: I suspect that, from most mistaken pique, she has refused him; may I rely on your influence to set it right?" "You may, at all events," replied she, "rely on my utmost endeavours."

"They cannot fail!" said he: "do justify Norbourne; tell her how wrong I was to strain my influence to the utmost, as I frankly confess I did: but I must not now detain you. Good night. I leave our cause in your hands." So saying, he resigned her to Sir George Kingston's care, who said, as he placed her in the carriage:— "Henceforth I shall need a new calendar; the shortest day of the year is, I have just found out, in July!" Lady Marchmont found her companions in no mood for discourse. Her husband was asleep, and Ethel's languid voice was scarcely audible when she forced a reply to some trilling question; and Henrietta could perceive, from the convulsive movement, and from the short