well as he understood chess, took care speedily to lose, so
that his lordship might encounter a champion worthy of him.
Egremont seated by his sister-in-law, and anxious by kind
words to soothe the irritation which he had observed with pain
his brother create, entered into easy talk, and after some
time, said, "I find you have been good enough to mould my
destiny."

Lady Marney looked a little surprised, and then said, "How
so?"

"You have decided on I hear the most important step of my
life."

"Indeed you perplex me."

"Lady Joan Fitz-Warene, your friend--"

The countess blushed; the name was a clue which she could
follow, but Egremont nevertheless suspected that the idea had
never previously occurred to her. Lady Joan she described as
not beautiful; certainly not beautiful; nobody would consider
her beautiful, many would indeed think her quite the reverse;
and yet she had a look, one particular look when according to
Lady Marney, she was more than beautiful. But she was very
clever, very indeed, something quite extraordinary.

"Accomplished?"

"Oh! far beyond that; I have heard even men say that no one