

Pleasures were also chalked out for Charles and Annette, who was understood to be Sir Sidney's daughter by a former marriage, but that her mother died abroad; and the baronet did not spare to hint that an union between the prince and princess of the two rival villages might perhaps cement the general amnesty between all parties.
It will be easily seen that Standfast felt awkward in this society. He too well knew Lady Roebuck's prudence, to suppose that she had acquainted Sir Sidney with any of his tricks, and as there seemed no coolness on the part of the baronet, these conjectures were confirmed. Thus, supposing the business would be concluded in a short time between his patron and Sir Sidney, he was so far perfectly at ease; but when he found the ladies were to be consulted, he trembled for the consequence. How to act? Suppose he tried to prevent their meeting? but that was dangerous and difficult. He once thought of hinting at a distance that something had actually passed between him and the lady, which, if credited, would account for any rancour in her; but, upon maturer reflection, any of these would be to desert his own grand principle, which was, to be always prepared with expedients, but never to use them except in cases of emergency. It would be enough to defend himself when he should be attacked;

and all things considered, since the lady had evidently kept the grand point a secret from Sir Sidney, it was possible, though barely so, that she would not tattle to any one else: yet that cursed female vanity—In short, the gentleman's combat with himself continued a considerable while, till at length the result was that he should make an excuse to go out of town for a month, and by that means gather from Lord Hazard's letters what was going forward. Besides he had another reason for taking this resolution—indeed he had several reasons—which will in due time appear to the reader:—so, having imparted his intention to my lord, and got permission for Charles to accompany him, the tutor and the pupil set out for the west of England, where business of a particular nature demanded their presence.
Thus, most of the arrangements before related passed in the absence of Standfast and Charles, whom, as their excursion has something remarkable in it, we will join: after I have related a matter that cursorily passed between the two ladies.
They were talking of Annette, and Lady Sidney, who was by no means ashamed of confessing so much of the truth as saved the honour of Miss Le Clerc
