AN UNWELCOME VISITOR. 293 



" My gracious ! my lord — I 'ope not — Honoria has never 

 had that dreadful disease — or the small-pox either ; — but I 

 heard both the young ladies were going to court next week." 



"If not prevented by illness, such is their intention, I 

 believe," replied Lord Malcolm. 



"Well, my lord, I was just a-thinking, if her ladyship 

 would be so very obliging as to take me and Honoria under 

 her wing at the same time, I should consider it a very great 

 favour." 



" I really cannot say what arrangements Lady Malcolm has 

 made ; nor am I aware if she has positively decided on being 

 present at the next drawing-room." 



" Well, my dear," turning to Constance, " I dare say you 

 will let Honoria know her ladyship's intentions ; and as we have 

 taken a house for the season, in Albemarle Street, not far off, you 

 know, just a nice little walk from Grosvenor Square, I hope 

 you and Miss Douglas will look in upon us just in a friendly 

 way, and Mrs. Gordon, too. Happy to see you at all times ; so 

 don't make any bones about fashionable hours. Papa is so fond 

 of the theatre in Covent Garden that we always dine a quarter 

 before six, to be ready for the play ; so pray come when agree- 

 able. Going for a ride, I suppose, Miss Douglas, in the Park 1 

 won't detain you any longer this fine day ; " with which Mrs. 

 Winterbottom bustled off. 



" Ha ! ha ! ha ! " cried Selina, " 'pon honour, here's a treat 

 in store for her ladyship — Mrs. and Miss Winterbottom, by Lady 

 Malcolm ! — my gracious ! what a sensation such an announce- 

 ment will produce ! "* 



" Confound her impudence ! " exclaimed Malcolm ; " but it 

 is an impossibility." 



"Of course it is," replied Constance; "at least, I should 

 never dream of hinting such a thing." 



"This comes, my dear Con," said Selina, "of patronising 

 such vulgar people, and asking the young lady to spend a few 

 .lays at Bampton." 



" It was done by my father's desire, Selina, and you know 

 the reason why we endeavour to be on good terms with all our 

 neighbours, even at some individual sacrifice ; but this a most 

 unexpected proposition, which I shall positively decline to make 

 to Lady Malcolm." 



" Well, come along," cried Malcolm, " Beauchamp and 

 Conyers have just arrived ; and Aunt Gordon can tell my 

 mother as much as she likes about Mrs. Winterbottom ; " on 



