temper, seemed only weakness. Besides, however innocent, she was the cause of her own suffering; and she confounded the unoffending girl with her father. But it was impossible to be quite untouched with Constance's meek sweetness, and she took her hand with a degree of kindness which melted the poor child into tears of tender gratitude. But she was silent, for Constance feared her aunt too much for any burst of the confidence with which she indulged herself to her father, They went down-stairs together, and found the bridal party assembled.
The guests had been selected with Lord Norbourne's usual judgment. There were only some three or four, of the highest rank. A young nobleman connected with the ministry, who had come from Sir Robert Walpole to summon Lord Norbourne, on business of the first importance, to London, was the sole cavalier, to the great discontent of the two bridesmaids. These were the ladies Diana and Frances, who came with their mother, the Duchess of Pympton, a distant connexion of
