‘I congratulate you!’

‘Thank you!’ she said, in the same hearty tone.

’And now, look at him! look at my father!  Have not we made a good piece of work of keeping him abroad all the winter?  Does not he look as well as ever he did in his life?’

This was rather strong, for Lord Ormersfield was somewhat grey, and a little bent; but he had resumed all his look of health and vigour, and was a great contrast to his younger, but far older-looking cousin.  He welcomed Clara with his tone of courteous respect, and smiled at his son’s exultation, saying, Fitzjocelyn deserved all the credit, for he himself had never thought to be so patched up again, and poor Oliver was evidently deriving as much encouragement as if rheumatism had been paralysis.

‘I must look in at the House Beautiful,’ said Louis, presently.  ‘Clara, I can’t lose your company.  Won’t you come with me?’

Of course she came; and she divined why, instead of at once entering the next house, he took a turn along the Terrace, and, after a pause, asked, ‘Clara, when did you last hear from Lima?’

’Not for a long time.  I suppose she is taken up by her father’s illness.’

He paused, collected himself, and asked again, ’Have you heard nothing from your uncle?’

‘Yes,’ said Clara, sadly, ‘but Louis,’ she added, with a lively tone, ‘what does not come from herself, I would not believe.’

‘I do not.’

‘That’s right, don’t be vexed when it may be nothing.’

’No; if she had found any one more worthy of her, she would not hesitate in making me aware of it.  I ought to be satisfied, if she does what is best for her own happiness.  Miss Ponsonby believes that this is a man of sterling worth, probably suiting her better than I might have done.  She was a good deal driven on by circumstances before, and, perhaps, it was all a mistake on her side.’  And he tried to smile.

Clara exclaimed that ’Mary could not have been all he had believed, if—­’

‘No,’ he said, ’she is all, and more than all.  I comprehend her better now, and could have shown her that I do.  She has been the blessing of my life so far, and her influence always will be so.  I shall always be grateful to her, be the rest as it may, and I mean to live on hope to the last.  Now for the good old ladies.  Really, Clara, the old Dynevor Terrace atmosphere has come back, and there seems to be the same sort of rest and cheering in coming into these old iron gates!  After all, Isabel is growing almost worthy to be called Mrs. Frost.’  And in this manner he talked on, up to the very door of the House Beautiful, as if to cheat himself out of despondency.

‘That was a very pretty meeting,’ said Isabel to her husband, when no witness was present but little Fanny.

‘What, between his lordship and my uncle?’

‘You know better.’

’My dear, your mother once tried match-making for Fitzjocelyn.  Be warned by her example.’