e went so far as actually to read the story and anticipate the
catastrophe of my life. Tell me then, I entreat you, that you know what
I allude to."

She hesitated. "Was it possible," thought she, "that he wished me to
admit that my opinion of him was not prejudiced by this 'escapade' of
thirty years ago? Is he asking me to own that I am tolerant towards
such offences?" His age, his tone generally, his essentially foreign
breeding, made this very possible. Her perplexity was great, and her
confusion increased with every minute.

At this critical moment there was a general move to go into the
drawing-room, and as he gave her his arm, Lord Culduff drew her gently
towards him, and said in his most insinuating voice, "Let me hear my
fate."

"I declare, my Lord," said she, hesitatingly, "I don't know what to
say. Moralists and worldly people have two different measures for these
things. I have no pretensions to claim a place with the former, and I
rather shrink from accepting all the ideas of the latter. At all events,
I would suppose that after a certain lapse of time, when years have gone
over--profitably, I would hope--in fact, I mean--in short, I do not know
what I mean."

"You mean, perhaps, that it is not at my time of life men take such a
step with prudence. Is that it?" asked he, trying in vain to keep down
the irritation that moved him.

"Well, my Lord, I believe about the prudence there can scarcely be
two opinions, whether a man be young or old. These things are wrong in
themselves, and nothing can make them right."

"I protest I am unable to follow you," said he, tartly.

"All the better, my Lord, if I be only leading you where you have no
inclination to wander. I see Nelly wants me at the piano."

"And you prefer accompanying _her_ to _me_" said he, reproachfully.

"At least, my Lord, we shall be in harmony, which is scarcely our case
here."

He sighed, almost theatrically, as he relinquished her arm, and retiring
to a remote part of the room, affected to read a newspaper. Mr. Cutbill,
however, soon drew a chair near, and engaged him in conversation.

"So Bramleigh has done nothing," whispered Cutbill, as he bent forward.
"He did not, so far as I gather, even speak of the mine in the City."

"He said it was of no use; the time was unfavorable."

"Did you ever know it otherwise? Is n't it with that same cant of an
unfavorable time these men always add so much to the premium on every
undertaking?"