that a marriage of his son with a certain
heiress, before next Lady-day, will set all to rights, and pay you with
a compliment too."'

'Good heavens, Sir Terence! surely you said no such thing?'

'I did--but what was it but a wager? which is nothing but a dream; and,
when lost, as I am as sinsible as you are that it must be, why, what
is it, after all, but a bonus, in a gentleman-like form, to Mordicai?
which, I grant you, is more than he deserves, for staying the execution
till you be of age; and even for my Lady Clonbrony's sake, though I
know she hates me like poison, rather than have her disturbed by an
execution, I'd pay the hundred guineas this minute out of my own pocket,
if I had'em in it.'

A thundering knock at the door was heard at this moment.

'Never heed it; let 'em thunder,' said Sir Terence; 'whoever it is,
they won't get in; for my lord bid them let none in for their life. It's
necessary for us to be very particular about the street-door now; and
I advise a double chain for it, and to have the footmen well tutored to
look before they run to a double rap; for a double rap might be a double
trap.'

'My lady and Miss Nugent, my lord,' said a footman, throwing open the
door.

'My mother! Miss Nugent!' cried Lord Colambre, springing eagerly
forward.

'Colambre! here!' said his mother; 'but it's all too late now, and no
matter where you are.'

Lady Clonbrony coldly suffered her son to embrace her; and he, without
considering the coldness of her manner, scarcely hearing, and not at
all understanding the words she said, fixed his eyes on his cousin, who,
with a countenance all radiant with affectionate joy, held out her hand
to him.

'Dear cousin Colambre, what an unexpected pleasure!'

He seized the hand; but, as he was going to kiss it, the recollection of
ST. OMAR crossed his mind; he checked himself, and said something
about joy and pleasure, but his countenance expressed neither; and Miss
Nugent, much surprised by the coldness of his manner, withdrew her hand,
and, turning away, left the room.

'Grace! darling!' called Lord Clonbrony, 'whither so fast, before you've
given me a word or a kiss?'

She came back, and hastily kissed her uncle, who folded her in his arms.
'Why must I let you go? And what makes you so pale, my dear child?'

'I am a little--a little tired. I will be with you again soon.' Her
uncle let her go.

'Your famous Buxton baths don't seem to have agreed with her, by all