self bound, as the head of the family, to defray them, but
I can go no further. I cannot bring myself to sanction an expenditure
for certainly very unnecessary, perhaps, and I much fear it, for illegal
and very immoral purposes."

"That really is your determination?"

"After the most mature reflection, prompted by a sincere solicitude for
your benefit."

"Well, George, I have often suspected it, but now I feel quite
persuaded, that you are really the greatest humbug that ever existed."

"Abuse is not argument, Mr Egremont."

"You are beneath abuse, as you are beneath every sentiment but one,
which I most entirely feel," and Egremont rose from the table.

"You may thank your own obstinacy and conceit," said Lord Marney. "I
took you to Mowbray Castle, and the cards were in your own hands if you
chose to play them."

"You have interfered with me once before on such a subject. Lord
Marney," said Egremont, with a kindling eye and a cheek pallid with
rage.

"You had better not say that again," said Lord Marney in a tone of
menace.

"Why not?" asked Egremont fiercely. "Who and what are you to dare to
address me thus?"

"I am your elder brother, sir, whose relationship to you is your only
claim to the consideration of society."

"A curse on the society that has fashioned such claims." said Egremont
in an heightened tone--"claims founded in selfishness, cruelty, and
fraud, and leading to demoralization, misery, and crime."

"Claims which I will make you respect, at least in this house, sir,"
said Lord Marney, springing from his chair.

"Touch me at your peril!" exclaimed Egremont, "or I will forget you are
my mother's son, and cleave you to the ground. You have been the blight
of my life; you stole from me my bride, and now you would rob me of my
honour."

"Liar and villain!" exclaimed Lord Marney, darting forward: but at
this moment his wife rushed into the apartment and clung to him. "For
heaven's sake," she exclaimed, "What is all this? George, Charles,
dearest George!"

"Let me go, Arabella."

"Let him come on."

But Lady Marney gave a piercing shriek, and held out her arms to keep
the brothers apart. A sound was heard at the other door; there was
nothing in the world that Lord Marney dreaded so much as that his
servants should witness a domestic scene. He sprang forward to the door
to prevent any one entering; partially opening it, he said Lady Marney
was unwell and desired her maid; returning, he fo