but it so happened that, with one exception, no name was mentioned.  It was quite evident, however, to Herbert, that these were very familiar acquaintances of his family; for, in the surprise of the moment, Lord Cadurcis had saluted his daughter by her Christian name.  There was no slight emotion, too, displayed on all sides.  Indeed, independently of the agitation which so unexpected a rencounter was calculated to produce, the presence of Herbert, after the first moments of recognition, not a little excited the curiosity of the young men, and in some degree occasioned the embarrassment of all.  Who was this stranger, on whom Venetia and her mother were leaning with such fondness?  He was scarcely too old to be the admirer of Venetia, and if there were a greater disparity of years between them than is usual, his distinguished appearance might well reconcile the lady to her lot, or even justify her choice.  Had, then, Cadurcis again met Venetia only to find her the bride or the betrothed of another? a mortifying situation, even an intolerable one, if his feelings remained unchanged; and if the eventful year that had elapsed since they parted had not replaced her image in his susceptible mind by another more cherished, and, perhaps, less obdurate.  Again, to Lady Annabel the moment was one of great awkwardness, for the introduction of her husband to those with whom she was recently so intimate, and who were then aware that the name of that husband was never even mentioned in her presence, recalled the painful past with a disturbing vividness.  Venetia, indeed, did not share these feelings fully, but she thought it ungracious to anticipate her mother in the announcement.

The Herberts turned with Lord Cadurcis and his cousin; they were about to retrace their steps on the terrace, when Lady Annabel, taking advantage of the momentary silence, and summoning all her energy, with a pale cheek and a voice that slightly faltered, said, ’Lord Cadurcis, allow me to present you to Mr. Herbert, my husband,’ she added with emphasis.

‘Good God!’ exclaimed Cadurcis, starting; and then, outstretching his hand, he contrived to add, ’have I, indeed, the pleasure of seeing one I have so long admired?’

‘Lord Cadurcis!’ exclaimed Herbert, scarcely less surprised.  ’Is it Lord Cadurcis?  This is a welcome meeting.’

Everyone present felt overwhelmed with confusion or astonishment; Lady Annabel sought refuge in presenting Captain Cadurcis to her husband.  This ceremony, though little noticed even by those more immediately interested in it, nevertheless served, in some degree, as a diversion.  Herbert, who was only astonished, was the first who rallied.  Perhaps Lord Cadurcis was the only man in existence whom Herbert wished to know.  He had read his works with deep interest; at least, those portions which foreign journals had afforded him.  He was deeply impressed with his fame and genius; but what perplexed him at this moment, even more than his unexpected introduction to him, was the singular, the very extraordinary circumstance, that the name of their most celebrated countryman should never have escaped the lips either of his wife or his daughter, although they appeared, and Venetia especially, to be on terms with him of even domestic intimacy.