rds of explanation would be listened to when Sir Hampton was cool,
and then all would come right.

"I think the five minutes are up, Miss Rea," said Trevor, rising.
"Perhaps you will take my arm, and we can stroll back as if nothing had
happened. I will see Sir Hampton in the morning."

Aunt Matty bowed, and then, wearing the aspect of some jointless
phenomenon, she stalked by his side back into the drawing-room, where,
in spite of the efforts of Lady Rea and Vanleigh, nothing could disperse
the gloom that had fallen; and the party broke up with the departure of
the gentlemen, who walked home on account of the beauty of the night--
Vanleigh talking incessantly, and Trevor quiet, but striving hard to
conceal his triumph.

"I'll ease him as much as possible," Trevor had said to himself, apropos
of Vanleigh.

"Poor brute! he little thinks how he's shelved," said Vanleigh to
Landells.

"Little girl's pos'tively b'witching," said Landells.

"Who, Miss Rea?"

"Jove! No--sister. Sharp and bright as lit' needle."

"Just suit you, there, Flick."

"Ya-as."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It came to a climax, then, Dick, eh?" said Pratt.

"Franky, old boy, I'm the happiest dog under the sun."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

These fragments of conversation took place at odd times that night; and
the next morning, soon after breakfast, Trevor made an excuse to his
friends, and started for Tolcarne.

"Gone to get his conge, Flick," said Vanleigh.

"Poor Trevor! Sorry. Not bad 'fler," said Sir Felix.

"Bah! every man for himself. But we shall have to clear out after this.
We'll go and stay at Saint Francis, and when the old boy finds we are
there, he'll ask us up to Tolcarne."

"But seems so shabby to poor Trevor," said Sir Felix.

"Pooh, nonsense! Every man has his crosses in this way. Let's get out
somewhere, though, so as not to be at hand when the poor beggar comes
back; he'll be in a towering fury. I hope he won't make an ass of
himself, and force a quarrel on me."

Volume 2, Chapter XV.

SPEAKING TO PAPA.

Meanwhile Trevor was on his way to Tolcarne, where he was shown into the
library. He felt flushed and excited, but he had come with the
confidence of a conqueror; and, besides, he could feel that he was no
ineligible parti for the young lady.

"Poor Franky, I know he's bitten by that little fairy," he