in a whisper, "take my advice, Kilcullen, and
strike when the iron's hot."

"I don't quite understand you, my lord," said his son, affecting
ignorance of his father's meaning.

"I mean, you can't stand better than you do with Fanny: you've
certainly played your cards admirably, and she's a charming girl, a
very charming girl, and I long to know that she's your own. Take my
advice and ask her at once."

"My lord," said the dutiful son, "if I'm to carry on this affair, I
must be allowed to do it in my own way. You, I dare say, have more
experience than I can boast, and if you choose to make the proposal
yourself to Miss Wyndham on my behalf, I shall be delighted to leave
the matter in your hands; but in that case, I shall choose to be absent
from Grey Abbey. If you wish me to do it, you must let me do it when I
please and how I please."

"Oh, certainly, certainly, Kilcullen," said the earl; "I only want to
point out that I think you'll gain nothing by delay."

"Very well, my lord. Good night." And Lord Kilcullen went to bed, and
the father shuffled back to his study. He had had three different
letters that day from Lord Kilcullen's creditors, all threatening
immediate arrest unless he would make himself responsible for his son's
debts. No wonder that he was in a hurry, poor man!

And Lord Kilcullen, though he had spoken so coolly on the subject,
and had snubbed his father, was equally in a hurry. He also received
letters, and threats, and warnings, and understood, even better than
his father did, the perils which awaited him. He knew that he couldn't
remain at Grey Abbey another week; that in a day or two it wouldn't be
safe for him to leave the house; and that his only chance was at once
to obtain the promise of his cousin's hand, and then betake himself to
some place of security, till he could make her fortune available.

When Fanny came into the breakfast-room next morning, he asked her
to walk with him in the demesne after breakfast. During the whole
of the previous evening she had sat silent and alone, pretending to
read, although he had made two or three efforts to engage her in
conversation. She could not, however, refuse to walk with him, nor
could she quite forgive herself for wishing to do so. She felt that
her sudden attachment for him was damped by what had passed between
her and Lady Selina; but she knew, at the same time, that she was very
unreasonable for quarrelling with one cousin for what anothe