disposed him to confidence; and he forthwith began a panegyric on himself, and on the good fortune of Miss Arundel, stating, he was now on his road to offer himself and his debts to her acceptance. Lorraine was surprised. I have heard it said, that no man ever believes a woman can fall in love with his friend: I would add, she certainly falls marvellously in his opinion if she does—and Edward's first thoughts were of Lord Merton's divers imperfections. Never had he seemed more selfish or more silly: "but, to be sure, the fool has a title;" and he amused himself with recalling all the usual common-places on the vanity and ambition of woman, while Merton poured into his ear the whole stream of his self-satisfaction.
They arrived: one said he should prolong his ride for an hour or two—the other went into the drawing-room. Emily was seated in a window; but there was room for two, and her unsuspected lover took his place. Mechanically she shut the book, assumed an attitude of attention, and prepared a few yeses. Lord Merton began by mentioning the good qualities he required in a wife, and thence took occasion to apply them all to Emily; but his introduction had been so long, that she, who knew no
