ike it."

"So that, on the whole, I 'll say this is a good thing, Bramleigh--a
right good thing. As Wishart said the other night in the House, 'A new
country'--speaking of the States--'a new country wants alliances with
old States;' so a new family wants connection with the old historic
houses."

Colonel Bramleigh's face grew crimson, but he coughed to keep down his
rising indignation, and slightly bowed his head.

"_You_ know as well as _I_ do, that the world has only two sorts of
people,--nobs and snobs; one has no choice--if you 're not one, you must
be the other."

"And yet, sir, men of mind and intellect have written about the untitled
nobility of England."

"Silver without the hall-mark, Bramleigh, won't bring six shillings an
ounce, just because nobody can say how far it's adulterated; it's the
same with people."

"Your tact, sir, is on a par with your wisdom."

"And perhaps you haven't a high opinion of either," said Cutbill, with
a laugh that showed he felt no irritation whatever. "But look here,
Bramleigh, this will never do. If there 's nothing but blarney or banter
between us, we 'll never come to business. If you agree to what I 've
been proposing, you have only me to deal with; the noble lord is n't in
the game at all--he 'll leave this to-night--it's right and proper he
should; he 'll go up to the mines for a few days, and amuse himself with
quartz and red sandstone; and when I write or telegraph,--most likely
telegraph,--'The thing is safe,' he 'll come back here and make his
proposal in all form."

"I am most willing to give my assistance to any project that may rescue
Lord Culduff from this unpleasant predicament. Indeed, having myself
experienced some of the persecution which political hatred can carry
into private life, I feel a sort of common cause with him; but I protest
at the same time--distinctly protest--against anything like a pledge as
regards his Lordship's views towards one of my family. I mean I give no
promise."

"I see," said Cutbill, with a look of intense cunning. "You 'll do the
money part. Providence will take charge of the rest. Isn't that it?"

"Mr. Cutbill, you occasionally push my patience pretty hard. What I
said, I said seriously and advisedly."

"Of course. Now, then, give me a line to your banker to acknowledge my
draft up to a certain limit,--say five hundred. I think five ought to do
it."

"It's a smart sum, Mr. Cutbill."

"The article's cheap at the money