HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1862. The right of Translation is reserved. 250 f. 69. A GREAT SENSATION. CHAPTER I. POST-NUPTIAL COMMENTARIES. SCENE: A boudoir within the farther drawing room at Mrs. Grahame's house. Time: Two o'clock p.m. on the wedding-day. Interlocutors: The Dowager Lady Ravensdale, Lord Sevenoaks, and Sir John Campion. Distant echo of the friendly chorus: "Boo-hoo!" Sir John Campion. "What has become of the other sister? I've not seen her since we left the church. There's something re markable about her. I remember remark VOL. II. B ing it particularly when I went to luncheon at what's-the-name-of-their-place; and it's much more striking to-day." Dowager Lady Ravensdale. "She is she's the most remarkable girl I ever saw—and she's not half developed yet, in any way. She will be beyond measure handsomer than her sister, both in face and figure, by and by; but she's only sixteen, and had bad health during part of her life, and an idiot of a governess that her vulgar mother got hold of, who kept her poking over ill-taught lessons, instead of running about and climbing trees; and so her figure was injured for a time. But you will see what she will turn out before another year is over." Lord Sevenoaks. "Yes; I never saw anyone develop so wonderfully in so short a time. And she has talent, too?" Dowager Lady Ravensdale. "Talent? She has genius and power, such as, in suitable times, would form a heroine of the highest order. I never yet was mistaken in the character of a girl-it's the one and only talent I possess; and I tell you that she is an extraordinary girl in every way." Lord Sevenoaks. "I have thought so before; only I was afraid of saying too much, for fear I might exaggerate. They are nearish neighbours of ours, in shire; but one can know little of a girl in the schoolroom." Dowager Lady Ravensdale. "If you never run any greater risk than that of over-stating the fine qualities of that girl, your future career will be a very safe one." Exit. Sir John Campion. "That's a settler for you, my boy." Lord Sevenoaks. "Yes, but I don't see that I deserved it." Sir John Campion. "Not just then; but for something else, I've no doubt. She's a wonderfully shrewd, clever woman. I never can make out how it was that she didn't |