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Watier's, not to mention the numerous picnics, and al fresco entertainments ranging from quite ordinary parties to some, given by ambitious hostesses, so daringly original that they were talked of for at least three days, the lazy, unexacting life at Hazelfield exactly suited his humour. If one visited the Em-boroughs there was no need to fear that every moment of every day would have been planned, or that you would be dragged to explore some ruin or local beauty spot when all you wished to do was to go for a strolling walk with some other like-minded members of the party. Lady Emborough never made elaborate plans for the entertainment of her guests. She merely fed them very well, and saw to it that whatever facilities were necessary to enable them to engage in such sports or exercises as they favoured were always at hand; and if any amusement, such as a race-meeting, happened to be taking place she informed them that carriages were ready to take them to it, but if anyone felt disin clined to go racing he had only to say so, and need not fear that she would be offended.
       She adhered strictly to this admirable course when she disclosed to Desford that she had promised to attend a party on the last night of his visit, taking with her her two elder sons, as many of her daughters as she thought proper, and any of the guests she would no doubt have staying with her at Hazelfield and who did not despise quite a small, country ball. 'I shall be obliged to go,' she said, in the resigned voice of one who did not expect to derive any pleasure from the offered festivity. 'And Emma and Mortimer mean to go too. Theresa has cried off, but that won't surprise Lady Bugle, for she knows very well that Theresa is increasing. The Montsales don't wish to go either, and there's no reason why they should when I mus t go, and can chaperon Mary for them. Ned and Gil mean to go, but Christian don't: he hasn't started to dangle after pretty girls yet. And if you don't fancy it, Desford, there's no reason why you shouldn't remain here, and play whist with the Montsales and John Thimbleby! In fact, I strongly advise you to do so, because it's my belief you'll think the Bugles' party a dead bore.'
       'Think it a dead bore when that glorious creature will be present?' ejaculated Mr Gilbert Emborough, who had entered the room in time to hear the last part of this speech. 'Nothing could be a bore when she is there!'
       'Come, this is most promising!' said Desford. 'Who is this glorious she? Am I acquainted with her?'
       'No, you ain't acquainted with her,' replied Gilbert, 'but you have seen her! What's more, you were much struck – well, anyone would be! – and you asked Ned who she was.'
       'What, the ravishing girl I saw at the races?' exclaimed Desford. 'My dear aunt, of course I will go with you to this ball! The most exquisite piece of nature I've seen in a twelvemonth! I hoped Ned might present me to her, and very unhandsome I thought it of him that he didn't do so.'
       Gilbert gave a crack of laughter. 'Afraid you'd cut him out! See if I don't roast him for it!'
       'But who is she?' demanded the Viscount. 'I didn't properly hear what Ned said, when I asked him that question, for at that moment we were joined by some friends of his, and by the time we had parted from them the next race was about to start, and I thought no more about the Beauty.'
       'Shame!' said his cousin, grinning at him.
       'Her name is Lucasta,' said Lady Emborough. 'She's the eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Bugle: he has five of 'em, and four sons. Certainly a very handsome girl, and I daresay she may make a good marriage, for she has all the men in raptures. But if her portion is above five thousand pounds I shall own myself astonished. Sir Thomas's fortune is no more than genteel, and he hasn't the least notion of trying to sconce the reckoning.'
       'Poor Lucasta!' said the Viscount lightly.
       'You may well say so! Her mama brought