at length,
and with immense exultation at Harry's discomfiture, the story now
buzzed through all London, of George Warrington's sudden apparition.
Lord Castlewood was sorry for Harry: Harry was a good, brave lad, and
his kinsman liked him, as much as certain worldly folks like each other.
To be sure he played Harry at cards, and took the advantage of the
market upon him; but why not? The peach which other men would certainly
pluck, he might as well devour. Eh! if that were all my conscience had
to reproach me with, I need not be very uneasy! my lord thought. "Where
does Mr. Warrington live?"

Will expressed himself ready to enter upon a state of reprobation if he
knew or cared.

"He shall be invited here, and treated with every respect," said my
lord.

"Including piquet, I suppose!" growls Will.

"Or will you take him to the stables, and sell him one of your bargains
of horseflesh, Will?" asks Lord Castlewood. "You would have won of Harry
Warrington fast enough, if you could; but you cheat so clumsily at your
game that you got paid with a cudgel. I desire, once more, that every
attention may be paid to our cousin Warrington."

"And that you are not to be disturbed, when you sit down to play, of
course, my lord!" cries Lady Castlewood.

"Madam, I desire fair play, for Mr. Warrington, and for myself, and
for every member of this amiable family," retorted Lord Castlewood,
fiercely.

"Heaven help the poor gentleman if your lordship is going to be kind to
him," said the stepmother, with a curtsey; and there is no knowing
how far this family dispute might have been carried, had not, at this
moment, a phaeton driven up to the house, in which were seated the two
young Virginians.

It was the carriage which our young Prodigal had purchased in the days
of his prosperity. He drove it still: George sate in it by his side;
their negroes were behind them. Harry had been for meekly giving the
whip and reins to his brother, and ceding the whole property to him.
"What business has a poor devil like me with horses and carriages,
Georgy?" Harry had humbly said. "Beyond the coat on my back, and
the purse my aunt gave me, I have nothing in the world. You take
the driving-seat, brother; it will ease my mind if you will take the
driving-seat." George laughingly said he did not know the way, and Harry
did; and that, as for the carriage, he would claim only a half of it,
as he had already done with his brother's wardrobe. "But a barg