ment; for several months they were doomed to perfect martyrdom, from persuasions, exhortations, and even threats; but the same poet who says, "the course of true love never did run smooth," also declares that "love o'erleaps all impediments"--and so it proved in this case, for Mr. and Mrs. Audrey, convinced that their child's health and happiness were giving way, yielded a reluctant though not ungracious consent to an engagement between the young people.

It was just after this important step had been obtained that Captain Selby arrived in London, and, ignorant of the state of affairs, wrote to Mrs. Audrey to propose for Lisette. It did indeed cause the mother's heart a pang to have to refuse so brilliant an offer for her daughter, but she had schooled her heart to bear the trial, ---and bear it she did, as I have said, graciously, gracefully, and heroically. Godfrey's family ceased to put obstacles in the way, being obliged to content themselves with the assurance that he would do nothing rashly or in a hurry; so that by the close of the season which

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succeeded the Christmas meeting, matters might have been said to have advanced far more prosperously for the lovers than they could have possibly hoped or expected a few months before; when suddenly Miss Lomax, Godfrey Rivers' elderly relative and godmother, who had of late become wonderfully quiescent, considering how violently opposed she had been in the commencement, once more rose up in arms against the match.

We have heard from Lisette the objections she openly broached; but to explain the inward workings of the old lady's mind, we must turn to Dora Freeling, or rather to her mother, a much tried matron of Belgravia.

VOL. I.

CHAPTER IV.

DORA'S HOME.

DORA's father had made his fortune in business. He was one of the most honourable, benevolent, and generous of men, nevertheless he was almost looked down upon by some of his wife's high-born relations; though, in any difficulty or emergency, they were only too ready and willing to avail themselves of the substantial aid which the clear-headed, open-handed friend was so able to afford. Even Mrs. Freeling, affectionate and really attached as she was to her husband, was not entirely free from the foible of regretting, that to his hard-working perseverance and energy he owed the riches he possessed; and this weakness principally

evinced itself in her great anxiety that their daughter and only child should marry into "her own set," as she called it. It was therefore distracting to her maternal feelings when, with all her advantages of wealth and beauty, Dora set her affections on the young curate, who for some time past had been thrilling the hearts and ears, and pricking the consciences of the congregation at St. Catherine's, by his earnest, eloquent discourses, and winning the affections of all his humbler neighbours by his active parochial labours and sympathizing ministrations amongst them; and to whom Mr. Freeling had insisted on showing some civility, both as a parishioner, and because Mr. Arnott was the nephew of one of his principal city friends. As for giving her consent, if Mr. Arnott ever had the presumption actually to propose for Dora, it was utterly out of the question; but that was not enough. Mrs. Freeling was determined, by some fell stroke, to knock the affair on the head altogether, before it proceeded further-to give a thorough turn to Dora's ideas; and the good lady, not

being strongly imbued with romantic feelings— she had married somewhat late in life herselfwas of opinion that the best means for uprooting one affection was the introduction of a new one into its place; so she determined to use every effort to provide her daughter with another suitor as speedily as possible.

It will seem strange that the same young man who was considered such an ineligible parti for Lisette Audrey, should have been thought of by Mrs. Freeling as good enough for her beautiful Dora, and certainly a year ago she would have ignored the very idea of her daughter making so poor a match. But it is wonderful how some notions and aspirations become moderated by circumstances, and the time had arrived when it behoved her to take most decided antagonistic steps with regard to Mr. Arnott. Formerly, to the sundry hints Miss Lomax had thrown out, of the happiness it would give her to see her "darling boy," as she still called Godfrey, well married in her lifetime, Mrs. Freeling's only reply had been a would-be unconscious smile; but now she