Every one was so sleepy and tired on Sunday morning, after their night at Arthur's Court, that only Lady Ethelrida and Laura Highford, who had a pose of extreme piety always ready at hand, started with the Duke and Young Billy for church.

Francis Markrute watched them go from his window, which looked upon the entrance, and he thought how stately and noble his fair lady looked; and he admired her disciplined attitude, no carousal being allowed to interfere with her duties.

She was a rare and perfect specimen of her class.
His lady fair! For he had determined, if fate plainly gave him the indication, to risk asking her to-day to be his fair lady indeed.

A man must know when to strike, if the iron is hot.
He had carefully prepared all the avenues; and had made himself of great importance to the Duke, allowing his masterly brain to be seen in glimpses, and convincing His Grace of his possible great usefulness to the party to which he belonged.

He did not look for continued opposition in that quarter, once he should have assured himself that Lady Ethelrida loved him.