ll be too late."

"And the diamonds, sir?" said Leonard, following him downstairs.

"Do _you_ think them so handsome?" said Cashel to Olivia, as she walked
at his side.

"Oh, they are most beautiful," replied she, with a bashful falling of
her eyelids.

"I 'll take them also," whispered Cashel to Leonard, who, for perhaps
the only time for years past, accompanied the party, bareheaded, to
their carriage, and continued bowing till they drove away.

"Dycer's," said Mrs. Kennyfeck; "and as fast as you can."

With all their speed they came too late. The beautiful equipage had been
already disposed of, and was driving from the gate as they drew up.

"How provoking!--how terribly provoking!" exclaimed Mrs. Kennyfeck.

"I declare, I think them handsomer than ever," said Miss Kennyfeck, as
she surveyed the two well-matched and highly-bred ponies.

"Who bought them?" asked Mrs. Kennyfeck.

"I am the fortunate individual, or rather the unhappy one, who excites
such warm regrets," said Mr Linton, as he lounged on the door of the
carriage. "I would I were Rothschild, or his son, or his godson, to beg
your acceptance of them."

"What did you give for them, Mr. Linton?" asked Mrs. Kennyfeck.

"How unfair to ask; and you, too, who understand these things so well."

"I want to purchase them," said she, laughing; "that was my reason."

"To you, then, the price is what I have just paid,--a hundred and
fifty."

"How cheap!"

"Absolutely for nothing. I bought them on no other account. I really do
not want such an equipage."

"To be serious, then," resumed Mrs. Kennyfeck, "we came here with Mr.
Cashel to purchase them, and just arrived a few minutes too late."

"Quite early enough to allow of my being able to render you a slight
service; without, however, the satisfaction of its having demanded any
effort from me. Will you present me to Mr. Cashel?" The gentlemen bowed
and smiled, and Linton resumed: "If you care for the ponies, Mr. Cashel,
I am delighted to say they are at your service. I really bought them, as
I say, because they were going for nothing." Cashel did not know how to
return the generosity, but accepted the offer, trusting that time would
open an occasion to repay the favor.

"Shall I send them home to you, or will you drive them?"

"Will you venture to accompany me?" said Cashel, turning to Olivia
Kennyfeck; who, seeing at once the impropriety of a proposal which
Roland's ignorance of the world alone