Sir Patrick returned to announce that the
gig was waiting.

"Come!" he said. "You haven't a moment to lose!"

Geoffrey started to his feet. Arnold hesitated.

"I must see Blanche!" he pleaded. "I can't leave Blanche without saying
good-by. Where is she?"

Sir Patrick pointed to the steps, with a smile. Blanche had followed him
from the house. Arnold ran out to her instantly.

"Going?" she said, a little sadly.

"I shall be back in two days," Arnold whispered. "It's all right! Sir
Patrick consents."

She held him fast by the arm. The hurried parting before other people
seemed to be not a parting to Blanche's taste.

"You will lose the train!" cried Sir Patrick.

Geoffrey seized Arnold by the arm which Blanche was holding, and
tore him--literally tore him--away. The two were out of sight, in the
shrubbery, before Blanche's indignation found words, and addressed
itself to her uncle.

"Why is that brute going away with Mr. Brinkworth?" she asked.

"Mr. Delamayn is called to London by his father's illness," replied Sir
Patrick. "You don't like him?"

"I hate him!"

Sir Patrick reflected a little.

"She is a young girl of eighteen," he thought to himself. "And I am an
old man of seventy. Curious, that we should agree about any thing. More
than curious that we should agree in disliking Mr. Delamayn."

He roused himself, and looked again at Blanche. She was seated at the
table, with her head on her hand; absent, and out of spirits--thinking
of Arnold, and set, with the future all smooth before them, not thinking
happily.

"Why, Blanche! Blanche!" cried Sir Patrick, "one would think he had gone
for a voyage round the world. You silly child! he will be back again the
day after to-morrow."

"I wish he hadn't gone with that man!" said Blanche. "I wish he hadn't
got that man for a friend!"

"There! there! the man was rude enough I own. Never mind! he will leave
the man at the second station. Come back to the ball-room with me. Dance
it off, my dear--dance it off!"

"No," returned Blanche. "I'm in no humor for dancing. I shall go up
stairs, and talk about it to Anne."

"You will do nothing of the sort!" said a third voice, suddenly joining
in the conversation.

Both uncle and niece looked up, and found Lady Lundie at the top of the
summer-house steps.

"I forbid you to mention that woman's name again in my hearing," pursued
her ladyship. "Sir Patrick! I warned you (if you remember?) that the
matter of t