"Indeed, Buckingham, you are mistaken; I never saw a creature more unworldly, more disinterested."
"Oh, of course; but it is really too much to have your scruples in addition to hers. However, I pique myself on the impossible. It is matter of conscience, it seems, with your Roxana: well, the chapel in the Savoy is much at your service—I will have it dusted on purpose—and the equerry I recommended has other talents than those of horse-breaking. He lived in my good father-in-law’s family to some purpose; his conventicle-drawl is perfection—he will make an excellent priest; and I will give away the bride myself—very generous, when I think how pretty she is!"
A few scruples and a little passing remorse on one side, a sneer and a jest on the other, and the whole affair was arranged.
"You have seen my Roxana for the last time," said Rebecca, about a week after this, to Lee; "you have been too kind a friend to be excluded from my confidence. You will rejoice in my happiness, for happy I must be as the wife of Aubrey de Vere."
"The wife of Aubrey de Vere! you, Rebecca, about to be married?"
He rose from his seat, threw open the lattice, and leant from the window, while his companion stood astonished at the excess of his emotion. Suddenly he turned towards her, while his large shining
