hat pettifogging schemer told me he didn't wish
me to come to his house again, and I wouldn't, even for Fanny Wyndham,
force myself into any man's house. He would not let me see her when I
was there, and I could not press it, because her brother was only just
dead; so I'm obliged to take her refusal second hand. Now I don't
believe she ever sent the message he gave me. I think he has made her
believe that I'm deserting and ill-treating her; and in this way she
may be piqued and tormented into marrying Kilcullen."

"I see it now: upon my word then Lord Cashel knows how to play his
cards! But if I go to Grey Abbey I can't see her without seeing him."

"Of course not--but I'm coming to that. You see, I have no reason
to doubt Fanny's love; she has assured me of it a thousand times. I
wouldn't say so to you even, as it looks like boasting, only it's so
necessary you should know how the land lies; besides, everybody knew
it; all the world knew we were engaged."

"Oh, boasting--it's no boasting at all: it would be very little good my
going to Grey Abbey, if she had not told you so."

"Well, I think that if you were to see Lord Cashel and tell him, in
your own quiet way, who you are; that you are rector of Ballindine,
and my especial friend; and that you had come all the way from County
Mayo especially to see Miss Wyndham, that you might hear from herself
whatever message she had to send to me--if you were to do this, I don't
think he would dare to prevent you from seeing her."

"If he did, of course I would put it to him that you, who were so long
received as Miss Wyndham's accepted swain, were at least entitled to so
much consideration at her hands; and that I must demand so much on your
behalf, wouldn't that be it, eh?"

"Exactly. I see you understand it, as if you'd been at it all your
life; only don't call me her swain."

"Well, I'll think of another word--her beau."

"For Heaven's sake, no!--that's ten times worse."

"Well, her lover?"

"That's at any rate English: but say, her accepted husband--that'll be
true and plain: if you do that I think you will manage to see her, and
then--"

"Well, then--for that'll be the difficult part."

"Oh, when you see her, one simple word will do: Fanny Wyndham loves
plain dealing. Merely tell her that Lord Ballindine has not changed his
mind; and that he wishes to know from herself, by the mouth of a friend
whom he can trust, whether she has changed hers. If she tells you