a, "what's the grand news?"

"Seen the sailor, ma, dear; been introduced to him. Such a nice
fellow."

"Seen whom?" said Lady Rea, making a last scrape at the mustardy cloth.

"Mr Trevor, ma; met him at old Mrs Trelyan's. Such fun."

"My dear Finetta," began Miss Matilda; but a shot fired by Sir Hampton
stopped her in dismay.

"Er-rum--what's that?" he asked. "Have you met that person?"

"What person, papa?" said Finetta. "That--that Penreife man--that
Trevor, or whatever his name is?"

"Yes, pa, we met him this morning; and he's the same--"

"Er-rum, I know!" exclaimed Sir Hampton, upsetting a carafe in his
excitement, and making Miss Matilda start back to save her silk. "I
ought to have bought Penreife--it's one of those persons we saw--I know;
I met him this morning--trespass--an insulting--ugh! ugh! ugh!"

"Oh, pa!" cried Finetta, "you shouldn't get in a passion with your mouth
full; and so much pepper as there is in that pie."

For Sir Hampton had begun to cough furiously, his face growing deeper in
tint, and his eyes protruding, so alarming Lady Rea that she bustled
round the table and began to hammer his back, while Miss Matilda offered
a glass of water.

"Ugh! ugh! ugh! Sit down--sit down!" gasped Sir Hampton. "I--er-rum--I
forbid all fixture communication with that--that fellow. If he calls
here, I'll have the door shut in his face. Insulted me grossly this
morning, on my own grounds, and a dirty little jackanapes with him
talked to me in such a way as I was never spoken to before."

"Oh, Tiny, it's the horrid little man," whispered Fin.

"Why, my dear Hampy, whatever is it all about?" said Lady Rea. "There,
do drink some water, and get cool."

Sir Hampton glanced at his wife and sister, and poured himself out half
a tumbler of sherry, which he drained, and then began to cough once
more.

"Eat a bit of bread, dear," said Lady Rea. "Quick, you won't mind
mine--I haven't touched it."

Saying which she held a piece out to him on a fork.

"Frances!" ejaculated Miss Matilda.

"Ugh! Any one would think I was a bear upon a pole," coughed Sir
Hampton; and he wiped his eyes as he grew better.

"But, Hampy, dear," said Lady Rea, "it will be so strange. Suppose Mr
Trevor calls?"

"Tell the servants to shut the door in his face," growled Sir Hampton.
"An insulting puppy!"

"Oh, pa, dear, don't be so cross," said Fin. "Take us out for a drive
this afternoon, and let's see if the box