I shall, therefore, put an end to it at once, by leaving town to-morrow.' Lady Clonbrony, breathless for a moment with surprise, exclaimed, 'Bless me! leave town to-morrow! Just at the beginning of the season! Impossible!--I never saw such a precipitate, rash young man.

But stay only a few weeks, Colambre; the physicians advise Buxton for my rheumatism, and you shall take us to Buxton early in the season--you cannot refuse me that.

Why, if Miss Broadhurst was a dragon, you could not be in a greater hurry to run away from her.

What are you afraid of ?' 'Of doing what is wrong--the only thing, I trust, of which I shall ever be afraid.' Lady Clonbrony tried persuasion and argument--such argument as she could use--but all in vain--Lord Colambre was firm in his resolution; at last, she came to tears; and her son, in much agitation, said-- 'I cannot bear this, mother! I would do anything you ask, that I could do with honour; but this is impossible.' 'Why impossible?
I will take all blame upon myself; and you are sure that Miss Broadhurst does not misunderstand you, and you esteem her, and admire her, and all that; and all I ask is, that you'll go on as you are, and see more of her; and how do you know but you may fall in love with her, as you call it, to-morrow ?' 'Because, madam, since you press me so far, my affections are engaged to another person.

Do not look so dreadfully shocked, my dear mother--I have told you truly, that I think myself too young, much too young, yet to marry.