panelling, and gloomy, moreover, by reason of the smallness of the ivy-framed casement

p of the coal fire sputtered and smoked drearily. My lord sat in a large high-backed chair, which nearly hid his diminutive figure from view, except on the side of the fireplace. His head was sunk on his breast; his hands were plunged deep into his pockets; his legs were stretched

nce have pronounced who should have seen his posture, and his pursed mouth, and his eyebrows knitted anxiously under the bald yellow forehead. The entrance even

he window-panes from the points of the ivy leaves; and it was already so dark that the firelight began to throw fantastic sh

he asked of the servant who ap

et, my

y compliments, to do me the favour to s

my l

ver it, and place it behind me. Draw the curtains across the window. Tak

alk up and down the room with his hands behind him. Thus Algernon found

e to get something for Castalia that was found wanting at the last moment. And I am splashed to th

mmediate hurry for what I have to say, that it might not have waited an hour or so; but I t

the other reclining on the arm of his chair. But on his face might be read, by one who knew it well, traces of trouble and of being ill at ease. Algernon read my lord's counte

tion with Castalia," said my lord, aft

scold her, my lord? The phrase, 'Having a serious conversation' with

stalia. I am very much attached to her, and very anxious f

usual when he said this; and he looke

ble so to simulate tenderness as to succeed in singing a pathetic song. Perhaps he had learned that it was useless to make the attempt. At all events, he did not now attempt to exhibit

astalia, my lord. We are both of us very sensibl

ia owes me nothing. She has been to me almost as my own daug

long time. In the silence of the room th

at length, "Castalia is

lord, I am very

living with uncongenial persons. But she is responsive to kindness, and it develops her best qualities. I will f

I trust you have no doubt of my b

o; I hope not.

doubt would come rather too late

, no longer addressed his senior with the winning, cordial deference of manner which had so captivated Lord Seely in the beginning of their acquaintance. Sec

nder point in his case which an unscrupulous adversary will not hesitate to touch, and which he nervously shrinks from having touched. He winced at Algernon's last words, and answered rather hotly, "It would be too late.

id me, m

ngly at Algernon. The young man's face wore an expression of candid amusement. His arched eyebrows

when Lady Seely first spoke to me about it, I was-

pped his eyes, and moved uneasily on his chair, passing one hand through the tuft of grey ha

ered. I said some word about my being a poor devil with nothing in the world to offer to a lady in Miss Kilfinane's position-except, of course, my undying devotion. Only one cannot live altogether on that. But Lady Seely

rdship looked really dignified; for the sincere feeling within hi

a tells me, that you are greatly dissatisfied with

aid so! If she can content herself in it f

eely, "that your circumstances are mor

rofess I don't know how

re in

your lordship when my marriage was first

u named a su

ip was kind enough

of your liabilities, Ancram. Castalia tells me that you ha

length, "upon my word I have forgotten the exact sum which I did name to your lordship, but I have no doubt it w

of thinking lightly of debt. It is, in fact," continued his lords

y any means! But, really-is it not best to a

vitable,'

ember of your family circle, a frequent inmate of your house, doing th

that nature had protected her feelings with a hide of some toughness; and knowing, moreover, that my lady would unhesitatingly have flung back some verbal missile, at least equally rough and heavy. But my lord was at once more vulnerable and more scr

like a man who has received a cold douche, "I deplore that your i

osition in your family has

s, and to have ascertained whether they sufficed for the life you were leading in

or the few pounds I owe at this moment: not even my tailor, who has cheated me h

nd meditated with a pained and anxio

t I am not a rich man

bowed g

y property is very strictly tied up. There are claims on it, too, of various sorts--" ("Lady Seely screws all she can out of him for that nephew of her

owed again

you the fact, that neither you nor Castalia mus

my lo

t I merely assure you that it will be out of my power to grant it. You, perha

begun to reali

o the young man's face, but i

d, that for this once, and presumin

r no! A

t accurately. I have a great repugnance to the thought o

It will be better fo

clearly within your means, and to make the best of your cir

an expressive shrug and smile, which said, as

your manner lately. There, there, we will not quibble about the word! If not bitter, you have not been, at all events, in the frame of mind I wished and hoped to find you in. You are young; and youth is apt to be a little un

fortune, my lord! Besides, you kn

my mind to say to you frankly-don't neglect or despise the

no m

I earnestly advise you not to gi

n my word, your lordship is

as a frowning discontent: and I don't kn

laughed

own that it is a little dif

onchalance increased in proportion to Lord Seely's earnestness. A year ago Algernon would have brought his manner into harmony with my lord's mood. He would have been grave, attentive, eager to show his appreciation of my lord's kindness, and his value for my lord's advice. But now there was some malice

llies as zeal, enthusiasm, or fervent reverence, he was now apt to speak of them with a disdainful superiority. And he had, too, an air of having washed his hands of any concern with his own career; of laying the responsibility on

ng secured the hand of Castalia Kilfinane of Kauldkail; and of his great unreasonableness (not to say presumption) in not accepting that boon on bended knee, instead of grumbling at being made postmaster of Whitford. But in order to make an impression, it does not suffice t

ttered away his power considerably, and made him vacillating. Algernon's capacities for feeling were, on this occasion, steadily conc

n solemnly-"I do most earnestly hope, Ancra

y good. I assure you,

ad been accepting an

ll do your best to m

ly on my do

rcumstances on both sides seem to be best matched. You are young. You are untrammelled. You have no irrevocable past behin

should fancy!" thought Algernon. And he had some difficulty in keeping his countenance, so vi

f things were not to turn out as brightly as we

y said "don't apologise!") "There is the dressing-bell," he added, with alacrity, tak

a tremulous voice, "remember, Ancram, that I wish to serve you. My intention all along has been to do my best for you. You have been a very pl

ore we get into a better berth. I know you'll do your best for us, for Castalia's sake; oh, and mine, too, I am happy to believe. Yes, certainly. I really am in such a state of mud that I

, and brightest smile,

d his moody, musing attitude, and sat there, alone, with h