Page:Glenarvon (Volume 2).djvu/166

 to Lady Avondale and wispered in her ear, "I shall walk this evening: contrive to do so as I have something of importance to tell you." As he spoke, he pretended to pick up a ring. "Is this yours?" he said. "No." "It is," he whispered; and placed it himself upon her finger. It was an emerald with an harp engraved upon it—the armorial bearing of Ireland: "let us be firm and united," was written under. "I mean it merely politically," he said smiling. "Even were you a Clarissa, you need not be alarmed: I am no Lovelace, I promise you."

The princess was now announced, fifty-three attendants and twenty-four domestic friends, were her small and concientious establishment, besides a cook, confectioner and laundress, to the total disconfiture of Irish hospitality. The high priest in the dress of the greek church, ever attended her, and eagerly sought to gain adherents to the only true established