"I own I was sorry afterwards that I did not speak openly, my lord, on that occasion, but my uncertainty as to her feelings prevented me!"
"Then you are now convinced of success?" observed Lord Osborne gloomily.
"By no means; you have forced a confession from me, which under other circumstances I would not have made; but I am very far indeed from confidence on the subject. She has never heard me declare my feelings."
"I am glad of it—well then I really think, Howard, the best thing you can do is to take yourself off for a few days, and leave the field clear for me. Now do, there's a good fellow, and I shall be eternally obliged to you."
"You ask a great deal," replied Howard gravely.
"Not so very much, because, you see, if I am accepted it proves that you would be refused, and just saves you the trouble altogether; and if I am refused I will let you know, and you can come in directly and follow up your chase. Do you agree to it?"
"I must have a little time to think of that proposal, my lord," replied Howard, hesitating and unwilling to assent.
"Till to-morrow morning, I cannot give you longer, let me know what you settle on to-morrow, and I shall arrange my plans. Do you know my mother talks of coming down here?"
"I had not heard of it; when does her ladyship think of doing so?"
"Very soon; I think the good old soul has taken it into that precious head of hers to suspect what I am about, and in her horror of a misalliance, she is coming down in hopes of stopping me altogether. By Jove it would be a good joke to get it all settled before her appearance."