Part 29 (1/2)

Perhaps he thought the s cure for such fits of insubordination as I had exhibited My occasional absences on my own account inked at On my return the squire was sour and snappish, I cheerful and corew cold, and he solicitous; he would drink e to heartiness, and I drank to himen's villanies, had any concealed debts perchance, because, if so--Oh! he knew the ways of youngsters, especially when they fell into bad hands: the list of bad titles rumbled on in an underbreath like cowardly thunder:--well, to cut the matter short, because, if so, his cheque-book was atiratitude, and my sedate 'Thank you, sir,' confused his appeal for some sentimental show of affection

I as of jealousy; I could even at times see into his breast and pity hied; but a youth when he perceives absurdity in opposition to hihable Had the squire talked to me in those days seriously and fairly of my father's character, I should have abandoned e By that tie that my father was totally of a different construction from other men I wished the squire to own simply to his loveable nature I could have told hi my dear aunt Dorothy, or so humble a creature as the devoted Mrs Waddy, he had sincere friends a women, who esteemed him, and were staunch adherents to his cause; and if theof the City knight, Lady Sa more, she was not the less his friend Nor was it only his powerful anirace that won them

There occurred when I was a little past twenty, already e crucial events which try a ainst hi Welsh heiress fell in love with hier than irl, rather wanting in polish, and perhaps in the protecting sense of decorum She ell-born, of course--she was Welsh She was really well-bred too, though so lady fell hopelessly in love with ave out that he was not to be for one ed her by secret addresses It was her unsolicited avowal--thought by my aunt Dorothy ireceived a letter fro him to furnish theentlee Frederick William Richmond Guelph Roy, for purposes which would, they assured hi the letter aside, shouting that he thanked his God he was unacquainted with anybody on earth with such an infernal list of na of Roy?

'It happens to be my father's present name,' said I

'It sounds to uard adventurers who creep into fa me with his eyes

'The letter at least must be answered,' my aunt Dorothy said

'It shall be answered!' the squire worked himself up to roar He wrote a reply, the contents of which I could guess at from my aunt's refusal to let me be present at the discussion of it The letter despatched ritten by her, with his signature Her eyes glittered for a whole day

Then ca lady's case from Bath

'Look at that! look at that!' cried the squire, and went on, 'Look at that!' in a nity in his unforced anger

My aunt winced displeasingly toto astonish one!' The squire set histo astonish one? Well, randfather, I do see soe! it's out o' nature But you women like monstrosities Oh! I understand Here's an heiress to fifteen thousand a year It's not astonishi+ng if every ruined ga her hot! no, no! that's not astonishi+ng I suppose she has her money in a coal mine'

The squire had some of his in a coal-mine; my mother once had; it was the delivery of a blow atthat he had the scent for this description of wealth I left the room The squire then affected thatout epithets easy for me to hear in the hall and out on the terrace He vowed by soleirl from ruin My aunt's speech was brief

I was summoned to Bath by ent need of me

I handed the letter to the squire at breakfast, saying, 'You must spare me for a week or so, sir'

He spread the letter flat with his knife, and turned it over with his fork

'Harry,' said he, half-kindly, and choking, 'you're better out of it'

'I'm the best friend he could have by him, sir'

'You're the best tool he could have handy, for you're a gentlerandfather, but I o'

'Don't you see, Harry Riche ceree,' interposed my aunt

'Eh? An infernal elopeirl's mad-head's cracked as a cocoa-nut bowled by a reenhorn; you don't suspect you're called down there to stop it, do you? You juht as well take a header into a leech-pond Come! you're a man; think for yourself Don't have this affair on your conscience, boy I tell you, Harry Richainstmy name and blood into the mire She's Welsh, is she? Those Welsh are addle-pated, every one Poor girl!'

He threw a horrible tremour into his accent of pity