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 that there should be no awkwardness, no coolness between us, that I offered to come here—actually offered myself—and you saw how well the meeting went off."

"Perfectly," said Mary; "nothing could be more commonplace—more easy, I mean."

Lady Portmore did not look as if she quite liked the answer, and was on the point of turning to Eliza to extract a more flattering opinion, when the gentlemen appeared, and her thoughts took a new direction.

Lord Teviot looked round as he came out on the lawn, and seemed to miss someone, though he asked no questions; but Lord Beaufort said immediately, "Where's Helen? Miss Douglas, have you a mind to come and look for her? I saw her and my mother go up that walk."

"I should like to go," said Eliza, "but"

"Oh dear! yes, we want a chaperon, I forgot," said Lord Beaufort; "perhaps my respected father will have the kindness to act ruffian to us babes in the wood."

"Not I," said Lord Eskdale; "I can't stir a step without my coffee; but there are your mother and sister in sight, at the end of that avenue, so you may go in all propriety and join them."

"Will you come, Miss Forrester?" said Eliza.

"Now, Miss Douglas," said Lord Beaufort, "let us be off, or they will be here, and our excessive attention in going to look for them will not be appreciated. Don't ask that Miss Forrester to come," he added, as they walked away, "I can't abide her."

"Oh! why not, Lord Beaufort? I like her looks so much."

"Her looks then are deceitful above all things. I am not going to add that she is desperately wicked; but she affects to be desperately good, which is nearly as bad."

"I dare say it is not affectation. Why should she not be really good? Now, Lord Beaufort, what right have