n of her cold manner deterred him. At last, however,
impatience and the sense of desolation conquered, and he rode over to
Raby Hall.

He found his uncle and his mother in the dining-room. Mr. Raby was
walking about looking vexed, and even irritable.

The cause soon transpired. Dissolute Dick was at that moment in the
drawing-room, making hot love to Jael Dence. He had wooed her ever since
that fatal evening when she burst on society full-blown. Raby, too
proud and generous to forbid his addresses, had nevertheless been always
bitterly averse to them, and was now in a downright rage; for Mrs.
Little had just told him she felt sure he was actually proposing.

"Confound him!" said Henry, "and I wanted so to speak to her."

Raby gave him a most singular look, that struck him as odd at the time,
and recurred to him afterward.

At last steps were heard overhead, and Dissolute Dick came down-stairs.

Mrs. Little slipped out, and soon after put her head into the
dining-room to the gentlemen, and whispered to them "YES." Then she
retired to talk it all over with Jael.

At that monosyllable Mr. Raby was very much discomposed.

"There goes a friend out of this house; more fools we. You have lost her
by your confounded folly. What is the use spooning all your days after
another man's wife? I wouldn't have had this happen for ten thousand
pounds. Dissolute Dick! he will break her heart in a twelvemouth."

"Then why, in heaven's name, didn't you marry her yourself?"

"Me! at my age? No; why didn't YOU marry her? You know she fancies you.
The moment you found Grace married, you ought to have secured this girl,
and lived with me; the house is big enough for you all."

"It is not so big as your heart, sir," said Henry. "But pray don't speak
to me of love or marriage either."

"Why should I? The milk is spilt; it is no use crying now. Let us go and
dress for dinner. Curse the world--it is one disappointment."

Little himself was vexed, but he determined to put a good face on it,
and to be very kind to his good friend Jael.

She did not appear at dinner, and when the servants had retired, he
said, "Come now, let us make the best of it. Mother, if you don't mind,
I will settle five thousand pounds upon her and her children. He is a
spendthrift, I hear, and as poor as Job."

Mrs. Little stared at her son. "Why, she has refused him!"

Loud exclamations of surprise and satisfaction.

"A fine fright you have given us. You s