But there was the engagement, known to all the world, and how could its fulfilment now be avoided?
The poor dear old woman began to repeat to herself the first half of the Quaker's advice, "Doan't thou marry for munny." Lord Fawn was to come down only in time for a late dinner.

An ardent lover, one would have thought, might have left his work somewhat earlier on a Saturday, so as to have enjoyed with his sweetheart something of the sweetness of the Saturday summer afternoon;--but it was seven before he reached Fawn Court, and the ladies were at that time in their rooms dressing.

Lizzie had affected to understand all his reasons for being so late, and had expressed herself as perfectly satisfied.

"He has more to do than any of the others," she had said to Augusta.

"Indeed, the whole of our vast Indian empire may be said to hang upon him, just at present;"-- which was not complimentary to Lord Fawn's chief, the Right Honourable Legge Wilson, who at the present time represented the interests of India in the Cabinet.