nsequences may be to the full
as disastrous."

"You allude to this unhappy scrape of Jack's."

"I do not. I was not then thinking of it."

"Because, as to that, Lord Culduff said there never yet grew a tree
where there was n't a branch or two might be lopped off with advantage.
If Jack does n't think his station in life worth preserving, all the
teaching in the world won't persuade him to maintain it."

"Poor Jack!" said he, bitterly.

"Yes, I say, poor Jack! too. I think it's exactly the epithet to apply
to one whose spirit is so much beneath his condition."

"You are terribly changed, Marion. I do not know if you are aware of
it?"

"I hope I am. I trust that I look at the events around me from a higher
level than I have been accustomed to hitherto."

"And is my father in a state to be consulted on a matter of this
importance?" asked he, half indignantly.

"Papa has already been spoken to about it; and it is by his own desire
we are both to see him this evening."

"Am I the only one here who knew nothing of all this?"

"You should have been told formally this morning, Augustus. Lord Culduff
only waited for a telegram from Mr. Cutbill, to announce to you his
intentions and his--hopes." A slight hesitation delayed the word.

"These things I can't help," said he, bitterly, and as if speaking to
himself. "They have been done without my knowledge, and regardless of me
in every way; but I do protest--strongly protest--against Lord Culduff
being introduced into matters which are purely our own."

"I never knew till now that we had family secrets," said she, with an
insolent air.

"You may learn it later on, perhaps, and without pleasure."

"So, then, these are the grave perils you tried to terrify me with
a while ago. You forget, Augustus, that I have secured my passage in
another ship. Personally, at least, I am in no danger."

"I did forget that. I did indeed forget how completely you could
disassociate yourself from the troubles of your family."

"But what is going to happen to us? They can't shoot Jack because he
called his commanding officer an ugly name. They can't indite papa
because he refused to be high-sheriff. And if the world is angry with
you, Gusty, it is not certainly because you like the company of men of
higher station than your own."

He flushed at the sarcasm that her speech half revealed, and turned away
to hide his irritation.

"Shall I tell you frankly, Gusty," continued she, "tha