He studies us all, you know.
The Pilgrim's Scrip is the abstract portraiture of his surrounding
relatives. Well, your Aunt Helen"--

"Mrs. Doria Battledoria!" laughed Richard.

"--being foiled in a little pet scheme of her own--call it a System if
you like--of some ten or fifteen years' standing, with regard to Miss
Clare!"--

"The fair Shuttlecockiana!"

"--instead of fretting like a man, and questioning Providence, and
turning herself and everybody else inside out, and seeing the world
upside down, what does the practical animal do? She wanted to marry
her to somebody she couldn't marry her to, so she resolved instantly to
marry her to somebody she could marry her to: and as old gentlemen enter
into these transactions with the practical animal the most readily,
she fixed upon an old gentleman; an unmarried old gentleman, a rich old
gentleman, and now a captive old gentleman. The ceremony takes place
in about a week from the present time. No doubt you will receive your
invitation in a day or two."

"And that cold, icy, wretched Clare has consented to marry an old man!"
groaned Richard. "I'll put a stop to that when I go to town."

Richard got up and strode about the room. Then he bethought him it was
time to go on board and make preparations.

"I'm off," he said. "Adrian, you'll take her. She goes in the Empress,
Mountfalcon's vessel. He starts us. A little schooner-yacht--such
a beauty! I'll have one like her some day. Good-bye, darling!" he
whispered to Lucy, and his hand and eyes lingered on her, and hers on
him, seeking to make up for the priceless kiss they were debarred from.
But she quickly looked away from him as he held her:--Adrian stood
silent: his brows were up, and his mouth dubiously contracted. He spoke
at last.

"Go on the water?"

"Yes. It's only to St. Helen's. Short and sharp."

"Do you grudge me the nourishment my poor system has just received, my
son?"

"Oh, bother your system! Put on your hat, and come along. I'll put you
on board in my boat."

"Richard! I have already paid the penalty of them who are condemned to
come to an island. I will go with you to the edge of the sea, and I will
meet you there when you return, and take up the Tale of the Tritons:
but, though I forfeit the pleasure of Mrs. Richard's company, I refuse
to quit the land."

"Yes, oh, Mr. Harley!" Lucy broke from her husband, "and I will stay
with you, if you please. I don't want to go among those people, and w