where a common
ruin impends on all concerned."

"To what end all this, Mr. Linton?" said she. "You surely cannot expect
from me any return to a feeling which, if it once existed, you yourself
were the means of uprooting forever. Even _you_ could scarcely be
ungenerous enough to persecute one for whose misery you have done
already too much."

"Will you accept my arm for half an hour?" cried he, interrupting. "I
pledge myself it shall be the last time I either make such a request, or
even allude to this topic between us. On the pretence of showing you the
house, I may be able--if not to justify myself--nay, I see how little
you care for that--well, at least to assure you that I have no other
wish, no other hope, than to see you happy."

"I cannot trust you," said she, in a tone of agitation; "already we are
remarked."

"So I perceive," said he, in an undertone; then added, in a voice
audible enough to be heard by the rest, "I am too vain of my
architectural merits to leave their discovery to chance; and as you
are good enough to say you would like to see the house, pray will your
Ladyship accept my arm while I perform the cicerone on myself?"

The _coup_ succeeded, and, to avoid the difficulty and embarrassment
a refusal would have created, Lady Kilgoff arose, and prepared to
accompany him.

"Eh, what--what is't, my Lady?" said Lord Kilgoff, suddenly awaking from
a kind of lethargic slumber, as she whispered some words in his ear.

"Her Ladyship is telling you not to be jealous, my Lord, while she is
making the tour of the house with Mr. Linton," said Lady Janet, with a
malicious sparkle of her green eyes.

"Why not make it a royal progress?" said Sir Harvey. "Her Majesty the
Queen might like it well."

"Her Majesty likes everything that promises amusement," said the wild
romp; "come, Charley, give us your arm.

"No, I 've got a letter or two to write," said he, rudely; "there 's
Upton or Jennings quite ready for any foolery."

"This is too bad!" cried she; and through all the pantomime of mock
royalty, a real tear rose to her eyes, and rolled heavily down her
cheek; then, with a sudden change of humor, she said, "Mr. Cashel, will
_you_ take me?"

The request was too late, for already he had given his arm to Lady
Janet,--an act of devotion he was performing with the expression of a
saint under martyrdom.

"Sir Harvey,--there's no help for it,--we are reduced to _you_."

But Sir Harvey was leaving the ro