t declare what he reports
to be the truth; return Miss Wyndham the lock of hair you have in your
desk, and next your heart, or wherever you keep it; write her a pretty
note, and conclude by saying that the 'Adriatic's free to wed
another'. That's what I should do."

"It's very odd, Blake, that you won't speak seriously to a man for a
moment. You've as much heart in you as one of your own horses. I wish
I'd never come to this cursed lodge of yours. I'd be all right then."

"As for my heart, Frank, if I have as much as my horses, I ought to be
contented--for race-horses are usually considered to have a good deal;
as for my cursed lodge, I can assure you I have endeavoured, and, if
you will allow me, I will still endeavour, to make it as agreeable to
you as I am able; and as to my speaking seriously, upon my word, I
never spoke more so. You asked me what I thought you had better do--and
I began by telling you there would be a great difference between that
and what you'd rather do."

"But, in heaven's name, why would you have me break off with Miss
Wyndham, when every one knows I'm engaged to her; and when you know
that I wish to marry her?"

"Firstly, to prevent her breaking off with you--though I fear there's
hardly time for that; and secondly, in consequence--as the newspapers
say, of incompatibility of temper."

"Why, you don't even know her!"

"But I know you, and I know what your joint income would be, and I
know that there would be great incompatibility between you, as Lord
Ballindine, with a wife and family--and fifteen hundred a year, or so.
But mind, I'm only telling you what I think you'd better do."

"Well, I shan't do that. If I was once settled down, I could live as
well on fifteen hundred a year as any country gentleman in Ireland.
It's only the interference of Lord Cashel that makes me determined
not to pull in till I am married. If he had let me have my own way, I
shouldn't, by this time, have had a horse in the world, except one or
two hunters or so, down in the country."

"Well, Frank, if you're determined to get yourself married, I'll give
you the best advice in my power as to the means of doing it. Isn't that
what you want?"

"I want to know what you think I ought to do, just at this minute."

"With matrimony as the winning-post?"

"You know I wish to marry Fanny Wyndham."

"And the sooner the better--is that it?"

"Of course. She'll be of age now, in a few days," replied Lord
Ballindin