is quite shocked at his presuming to be in orders."

"Well, I don't think him exactly what Temple calls an _esprit fort_,
but he is a very nice fellow, very companionable, and a thorough
gentleman in all respects."

"How well you have said it, dear Augustus," said she, with a face
beaming with delight. "Where are you off to? Where are you going?"

"I am going to see the yearlings, in the paddock below the river."

"May I go with you, Gussy?" said she, drawing her arm within his. "I do
like a brisk walk with you; and you always go like one with a purpose."

CHAPTER V. CONFIDENTIAL TALK.

Temple found his father in his study, deeply engaged with a mass of
papers and letters, and by the worn and fatigued expression of his face
showing that he had passed a day of hard work.

"I hope I do not disturb you," said Temple, as he leaned on the table at
which the other was seated.

"Throw that cigar away, and I'll tell you," said the old man, with a
faint smile. "I never can conquer my aversion to tobacco. What do you
want to say? Is it anything we cannot talk over at dinner, or after
dinner?--for this post leaves at such an inconvenient hour, it gives me
scant time to write."

"I beg a thousand pardons, sir; but I have just heard that a very
distinguished member of our corps--I mean the diplomatic corps--is down
in this neighborhood, and I want your permission to ask him over here."

"Who is he?"

"Lord Culduff."

"What! that old scamp who ran away with Lady Clifford? I thought he
could n't come to England?"

"Why, sir, he is one of the first men we have. It was he that
negotiated the Erzeroum treaty, and I heard Sir Stamford Bolter say he
was the only man in England who understood the Sound dues."

"He ran off with another man's wife, and I don't like that."

"Well, sir, as he didn't marry her afterwards, it was clear it was only
a passing indiscretion."

"Oh, indeed! that view of it never occurred to me. I suppose, then, it
is in this light the corps regards it?"

"I trust so, sir. Where there is no complication there is no loss of
character; and as Lord Culduff is received everywhere, and courted in
the very best circles, I think it would be somewhat strange if we were
to set up to teach the world how it ought to treat him."

"I have no such pretension. I simply claim the right to choose the
people I invite to my house."

"He may be my chief to-morrow or next day," said Temple.

"So much the wors