I am
afraid you hardly think so well of Lord Chiltern as I do;
but then, perhaps, you have not known him so long. You do
know, however, that there has been some difference between
him and his father. I think I may take upon myself to say
that now, upon his engagement, this will be settled. I
have the inexpressible pleasure of feeling sure that Lord
Brentford will welcome me as his daughter-in-law. Tell the
news to Augusta with my best love. I will write to her in
a day or two. I hope my cousin Gustavus will condescend
to give me away. Of course there is nothing fixed about
time;--but I should say, perhaps, in nine years.
Your affectionate niece,
VIOLET EFFINGHAM.
Loughlinter, Friday.
"What does she mean about nine years?" said Lady Baldock in her
wrath.
"She is joking," said the mild Augusta.
"I believe she would--joke, if I were going to be buried," said Lady
Baldock.
CHAPTER LIII
Showing How Phineas Bore the Blow
When Phineas received Lady Laura Kennedy's letter, he was sitting in
his gorgeous apartment in the Colonial Office. It was gorgeous in
comparison with the very dingy room at Mr. Low's to which he had been
accustomed in his early days,--and somewhat gorgeous also as compared
with the lodgings he had so long inhabited in Mr.
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