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14 been so happy as to obtain to her through the friendship of Mr. William Brandon,—"a friendship," said the gallant nobleman, "to which I have often before been indebted, but which was never more agreeably excited on my behalf."

Upon this Lucy, who, though she had been so painfully bashful during her meeting with Mr. Clifford, felt no overpowering diffidence in the presence of so much greater a person, replied laughingly, and the Earl rejoined by a second compliment. Conversation was now no longer an effort; and Mauleverer, the most consummate of epicures, whom even Royalty trembled to ask without preparation, on being invited by the unconscious Squire to partake of the family dinner, eagerly accepted the invitation. It was long since the knightly walls of Warlock had been honoured by the presence of a guest so courtly. The good Squire heaped his plate with a profusion of boiled beef, and while the poor Earl was contemplating in dismay the alps upon alps which he was expected to devour, the grey-headed butler, anxious to serve him with alacrity, whipped away the over-loaded plate, and presently returned it, yet more