Lady Thicknesse, widow of Sir Thomas Thicknesse, of Haslemere, Cheshire, was some four or five years younger than her sister, Lady Barfleur. In her day she had been considered a great beauty, and was still attractive, for her manners were extremely agreeable. She habitually resided in Belgrave Square, and not being fond of the country, seldom spent more than a couple of months in the autumn at Haslemere.

She still had a large establishment, much larger than she required, for the state of her health did not allow her to keep much company, and she no longer gave any of those grand parties that had once made her the fashion.

Lady Thicknesse had no children, but she was proud and ambitious, and her great desire was that Emmeline should marry a person of rank.

During Sir Leycester's lifetime she despaired of accomplishing her purpose, for he would allow no interference on her part. His demise, however, left the stage clear; and as Emmeline had now become a great heiress, the matter seemed quite simple and easy. The noble husband had only to be chosen.

After a little consideration, she fixed upon Lord Courland, the eldest son of the Earl of Lymington, who seemed to possess all the requisites, and in whom she herself felt an interest. Besides, he was a great friend of her nephew, Scrope Danvers, a circumstance that seemed very favourable to her design.

Lord Courland was about four-and-twenty, very much liked generally on account of his agreeable manners, and sufficiently good-looking. She had never heard him express an opinion on the subject, but she fancied he was just the man who would desire to marry an heiress. The real question was whether Emmeline would accept him. On this point Lady Thicknesse had no misgiving, having perfect reliance on her own powers of persuasion.

Her plan settled, she wrote the letter we have seen to her niece. It quite answered its purpose, and excited no suspicion. All the rest followed as narrated.

On their arrival in Belgrave Square, Lady Thicknesse received the two girls with every demonstration of delight, and she appeared so amiable and affectionate, that they were charmed with her.

She was told that Chetwynd Calverley had brought them to town; but she attached no importance to the circumstance, not conceiving it possible that Emmeline could care for him.

Until now, she had never seen Mildred, and was quite surprised by her beauty. Had she known she was so good-looking, she didn't feel sure she should have asked her. She might outshine her niece.

Next morning the two girls, who were both in very good spirits, and looking very well after their journey, were seated in the large and splendidly furnished drawing-room, when Lady Thicknesse began to open her plan.

“By-the-by, Emmeline,” she said, “I ought to mention that your cousin, Scrope Danvers, is in town, and will very likely call this morning, for he knows you will be here. I hope he may, and bring with him his friend, Lord Courland. I needn't tell you that Lord Courland is the eldest son of the Earl of Lymington; but I may say he is very agreeable, and singularly unaffected for a person of his rank, and I am persuaded you will like him.”

“I dare say I shall,” replied Emmeline. “I have heard Charles Danvers speak of him as a very nice fellow.”

“He is a great favourite of mine, I own,” said Lady Thicknesse. “His father is in very bad health; so it cannot be long before he becomes Earl of Lymington and master of Guilsborough Castle, one of the finest places in Hampshire. But I won't say any more about him. You'll see him presently, and judge for yourself.”

The opportunity soon offered. Scarcely had Lady Thicknesse done singing the young lord's praises, than he and Scrope Danvers were announced.

Decidedly, he produced a favourable impression. Tall, and slight of figure, with features agreeable in expression, if not handsome, he was easy and refined in manner, and seemed to possess great tact. He had light-brown hair, a beard of the same hue, and very good teeth.

Both girls were pleased with him, and he was evidently struck by their beauty; but he paid no exclusive attention to Emmeline, and talked quite as much to Mildred as to her. His sole aim seemed to be to amuse them, and his chat being very lively, and some of his stories very diverting, he perfectly succeeded. When he and Scrope rose to depart, after a visit of half an hour, during which there was no pause in the conversation, Lady Thicknesse asked them both to dinner, and the invitation was accepted—much to the delight of the girls.

“Well, what do you think of Lord Courland?” observed Lady Thicknesse, who thought the affair had commenced capitally. “Have I said too much in his praise?”

“Not at all,” replied Emmeline. “I never spent half an hour more agreeably.”

“Nor I,” added Mildred. “I feel quite ashamed of myself for laughing so much, but I really couldn't help it. He is an excellent talker!”

“I hope you will see a great deal more of him during your stay in town,” said Lady Thicknesse.

“I hope we shall,” rejoined Emmeline. “He promises to be a very agreeable acquaintance.”

“He may possibly be something more than a mere acquaintance, my love!” remarked her ladyship, significantly. “I think you have made a conquest. He seemed quite captivated!”

“Not by me, my dear aunt. If he was captivated by either of us, it was by Mildred. She has made the conquest!”

“Quite unintentionally,” replied Mildred. “But I agree with Lady Thicknesse; you were the chief attraction.”

Emmeline smiled, and shook her head.

“Well, whoever wins him will have good reason to congratulate herself,” said Lady Thicknesse.

“We shan't quarrel about him, that's certain,” said Emmeline. “I'm quite ready to retire from the field in your favour.” she added to Mildred. “I should like nothing better than to see you Lady Courland!”

“I fear we are getting on a little too fast, dear girls,” said Lady Thicknesse, who was not pleased by the turn things seemed taking. “I have raised expectations that may never be realised. I really don't think Lord Courland is a marrying man.”

“I entertain quite a different opinion, aunt,” said Emmeline. “Within a week I feel sure he will have proposed to Mildred.”

“I hope Miss Calverley won't take what you say seriously,” observed Lady Thicknesse. “She may be disappointed.”

“No, indeed, I shan't,” said Mildred. “I have no idea of catching this young lord. I am not dazzled by his rank, though not insensible to it. I am charmed with his affability and good nature, but that is all. You won't find a rival in me, dearest Emmeline.”

“Never mind me, Mildred,” said Emmeline. “You know very well I am out of the question. I ask you plainly, wouldn't you like to be Lady Courland?”

“I can't tell,” replied the other. “I haven't thought about it.”

“Then we'll talk it over, and I'll give you my reasons,” said Emmeline.

“You'd better hear mine first,” remarked Lady Thicknesse. “But tell me what you meant by bidding Miss Calverley 'not to mind you,' and adding 'she knew very well you are out of the question?' That is an ambiguous phrase.”

“It is intelligible enough to Mildred, my dear aunt, and only means that I have no idea of marrying at present.”

“But how came you to form such a silly resolution?”

“You mustn't ask me, my dear aunt,”

“Not now; but at some more suitable time I shall think it my duty to require an explanation.”

Rather fortunately, the discourse was interrupted just at that moment by Chetwynd, who was ushered into the room by Higgins.

Lady Thicknesse had never seen him before, and was very much struck by his appearance. She had no idea he was so handsome, and a suspicion of the truth then crossed her.

Could he be engaged to Emmeline? But she dismissed the notion as soon as formed.

She had been prejudiced against him by the accounts she had heard of his follies, extravagance, and impetuous temper; but his good looks and quiet deportment operated strongly in his favour, and he had not been in the room five minutes before she felt disposed to like him, and evinced her friendly feeling by asking him to dinner.

On his part, Chetwynd was very much pleased with her ladyship, and could not help smiling as he thought to himself what might have been the consequence if his original plan had been carried out.