rother's money, Lord Cashel thought it a pity to
sacrifice it,--so he got her out of the scrape. A very good thing for
the poor girl, for they say he's a desperate scamp."

"Well, I declare I think," said Mrs Ellison, "she'll not have far to
look for another."

"What, you think there's something between her and Lord Kilcullen?"
said Mrs Moore.

"It looks like it, at any rate, don't it?" said Mrs Ellison.

"Well, I really think it does," said Mrs Moore; "I'm sure I'd be very
glad of it. I know he wants money desperately, and it would be such a
capital thing for the earl."

"At any rate, the lady does not look a bit unwilling," said Mrs
Ellison. "I suppose she's fond of rakish young men. You say Lord
Ballindine was of that set; and I'm sure Lord Kilcullen's the
same,--he has the reputation, at any rate. They say he and his father
never speak, except just in public, to avoid the show of the thing."

And the two old ladies set to work to a good dish of scandal.

"Miss Wyndham's an exceedingly fine girl," said Captain Cokely to
Mat Tierney, as they were playing a game of piquet in the little
drawing-room.

"Yes," said Mat; "and she's a hundred thousand exceedingly fine charms
too, independently of her fine face."

"So I hear," said Cokely; "but I only believe half of what I hear about
those things."

"She has more than that; I know it."

"Has she though? Faith, do you know I think Kilcullen has a mind to
keep it in the family. He's very soft on her, and she's just as sweet
to him. I shouldn't be surprised if he were to marry now, and turn
steady."

"Not at all; there are two reasons against it. In the first place, he's
too much dipped for even Fanny's fortune to be any good to him; and
secondly, she's engaged."

"What, to Ballindine?" said Cokely.

"Exactly so," said Mat.

"Ah, my dear fellow, that's all off long since. I heard Kilcullen say
so myself. I'll back Kilcullen to marry her against Ballindine for a
hundred pounds."

"Done," said Mat; and the bet was booked.

The same evening, Tierney wrote to Dot Blake, and said in a postscript,
"I know you care for Ballindine; so do I, but I don't write to him.
If he really wants to secure his turtle-dove, he should see that she
doesn't get bagged in his absence. Kilcullen is here, and I tell you
he's a keen sportsman. They say it's quite up with him in London, and
I should be sorry she were sacrificed: she seems a nice girl."

Lord Kilcullen had ample op