finished manner, a quick brain, a lively tongue, a buoyant
spirit, and a great social position. Lady Marney was
universally and extremely popular; and adored by her children,
for indeed she was a mother most affectionate and true.

When Egremont was four-and-twenty, he fell in love--a real
passion. He had fluttered like others from flower to flower,
and like others had often fancied the last perfume the
sweetest, and then had flown away. But now he was entirely
captivated. The divinity was a new beauty; the whole world
raving of her. Egremont also advanced. The Lady Arabella was
not only beautiful: she was clever, fascinating. Her presence
was inspiration; at least for Egremont. She condescended to
be pleased by him: she signalized him by her notice; their
names were mentioned together. Egremont indulged in
flattering dreams. He regretted he had not pursued a
profession: he regretted he had impaired his slender
patrimony; thought of love in a cottage, and renting a manor;
thought of living a good deal with his mother, and a little
with his brother; thought of the law and the church; thought
once of New Zealand. The favourite of nature and of fashion,
this was the first time in the life of Egremont, that he had
been made conscious that there was something in his position
which, with all its superficial brilliancy, might prepare for
him, when youth had fled and the blaze of society grown dim, a
drear and bitter lot.

He was roused from his reveries by a painful change in the
demeanour of his adored. The mother of the Lady Arabella was
alarmed. She liked her daughter to be admired even by younger