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ETHEL CHURCHILL.
261

word from me. It is a very disagreeable thing to agree with one's husband; but to-night I move my patches, and become Tory."

"Nay," replied Lord Norbourne, for he was the stranger, "Sir Robert can have done nothing to merit so severe a sentence. Come, let me hear your grievance. He has bought some picture you wanted, or refused a slip from some plant, without which, of course, you cannot exist for an hour?"

"Dear Lord Norbourne," said Henrietta, "my business is of a much more serious nature. I leave it to your own kindness whether it shall or not be intruded upon you."

"Lady Marchmont knows," replied he, "that it is no commonplace expression of civility, when I say, let me have the happiness of serving you whether it be in a little or great thing."

"I equally know that I may take you at your word," said Henrietta: "and, as a first step, as it is her history that I am about to tell, will you allow me to introduce my young friend? Miss Churchill, Lord Norbourne."