all must
yield you, has the youth taste or feeling to appreciate your excellence.
However, 'my Lord' is jealous; let it be your care, by knowledge of the
fact, not to incur anything to sustain the suspicion."

"How very absurd all this is! Do you know that Mr. Cashel did not
condescend to pay me the poor compliment of a special invitation to his
house, but asked my Lord to come, and hoped I would accompany him; just
as people invite their humbler acquaintances, hoping that only half the
request may be accorded."

"He is underbred even to barbarism," said Linton.

"He seems a most good-natured creature, and full of generosity."

"Overwealth has sometimes that air. When the glass is brimful, none but
the steadiest hand can carry, without spilling, the wine."

"He does not appear even to make the effort. They tell me he has
squandered some thousands already, making presents to every one who will
accept them."

"He gave me this cane," said Linton, superciliously, exhibiting a little
riding cane, which he had taken himself out of Cashel's hand, and was of
no value whatever. "Not any great evidence of exaggerated generosity,"
said he. "As to his house, however, I trust its honors may be well done;
he has given me _carte blanche_, and I must only try and not disgrace my
prerogative."

"How very late it is--nearly seven," said Lady Kilgoff, looking at her
watch.

"Shall I see your Ladyship to your carriage?" said Linton.

"I think not," said she, blushing slightly; "as I left it unaccompanied,
so I shall return to it Good-bye."

She held out her hand as she spoke, but slightly averted her head, so
that Linton could not mark the expression of her features. As it was, he
pressed the gloved fingers to his lips, but, when doing so, contrived
to unclasp her bracelet,--a singularly rich one, and a present from Lord
Kilgoff on the day of her marriage. This he let fall noiselessly on the
grass, and murmured, in a low voice, "Goodbye."

Lady Kilgoff, hastily wrapping her shawl about her, left the spot.
Linton watched her till he had seen her seated in the carriage, and
continued to gaze after it, as it drove rapidly away, and so intently
occupied by his thoughts, that he did not notice the approach of a
horseman, who came up at a walking pace behind him.

"Eh, Tom!" cried out Lord Charles Frobisher, "this is flying at high
game!"

"You are mistaken, Charley," said he, in some confusion. "This 'meeting
under the green-w