Page:Lady Barbarity; a romance (IA ladybarbarityrom00snai).pdf/27

 "Hum! character and ideas." My lord scratched his chin with a face of comical perplexity. "Would not position and a reasonable pin-money be still more apposite to your case, my dearest person? And anyway," says he, "may I be in my grave ere my daughter Bab marries anywise beneath her. Character and ideas!"

"Amen to that, my lord!" cries I, with a deal of fervour.

Thereupon I left the Earl to his light reflection and his piety. My heart was heavy with the knowledge of his approaching end; but there was still a period in which I might enjoy the inimitable charm of his society. Passing from his chamber, I encountered my aunt upon the stairs. The briskness of her step, and the animation of her face, alike surprised me, as the dowager usually required nothing short of a cow, a mouse, or a suspicion of unorthodoxy to arouse her.

"Do not delay me, Barbara," she said, brushing past me. "I must see the Earl immediately."

I did not venture to impede her with my curiosity, for my aunt is a dreadful engine when once she is set in motion.

Coming to the foot of the stairs, however, I chanced to stray into the reception parlour to find a comfit box I had mislaid.

"My dear Lady Barbara!" a great voice hailed me, as soon as my face had appeared within the door.

Raising my eyes I saw that I was in the presence