For  three  years,  despite  of  a  refusal,  first  gently,  then  more,
peremptorily,  urged,  he  fixed  himself  in  her  train.  He  gave
out  that  he  was  her  affianced.  In  all  parties,  in  all  places,  he
forced  himself  near  her,  unheeded  alike  of  her  frowns  or  indif-
ference ;  and  his  rank,  his  hauteur,  his  fierceness  of  mien,  and  ac-
knowledged courage,  kept  aloof  all  the  less  arrogant  and  hardy
pretenders  to  Lady  Flora's  favor.  For  this,  indeed,  she  rather
thanked  than  blamed  him  ;  and  it  was  the  only  thing  which  in


«94  THE   DISOWNED,

the  least  reconciled  her  modesty  to  his  advances  or  her  pride
to  his  presumption.
He  had  been  prudent  as  well  as  bold.  The  father  he  had
served,  and  the  mother  he  had  won.  Lord  Westborough,  ad-
dicted a  little  to  politics,  a  good  deal  to  show,  and  devotedly
to  gaming,  was  often  greatly  and  seriously  embarrassed.  Lord
Ulswater,  even  during  the  life  of  his  father  (who  was  lavishly
generous  to  him),  was  provided  with  the  means  of  relieving
his  intended  father-in-law's  necessities  ;  and  caring  little  for
money  in  comparison  to  a  desired  object,  he  was  willing  enough,
we  do  not  say  to  bribe,  but  to  influence  Lord  Westborough's
consent.  These  matters  of  arrangement  were  by  no  means
concealed  from  the  marchioness,  who,  herself  ostentatious  and
profuse,  was  in  no  small  degree  benefited  by  them  ;  and
though  they  did  not  solely  procure,  yet  they  certainly  contri-
buted, to  conciliate  her  favor.
