s simply a scamp--that is all I know."

"A scamp!" said Mrs. Dennistoun, with a look of alarm. "But then that is
a word that has so many meanings. A scamp may be only a careless fellow,
nice in his way. That is not enough to break off a marriage for. And,
John, as you have said so much, you must say more."

"I have no more to say, that's all I know. Inquire what the Hudsons have
heard. Stop it if you can."

"Oh, dear, dear, here is Elinor back already," Mrs. Dennistoun said.

CHAPTER V.

The next time that John's presence was required at the cottage was for
the signing of the very simple settlements; which, as there was nothing
or next to nothing in the power of the man to settle upon his wife,
were easy enough. He met Mr. Lynch, who was Mrs. Dennistoun's "man of
business," and a sharp London solicitor, who was for the husband.
Elinor's fortune was five thousand pounds, no more, not counting her
expectations from him, which were left out of the question. It was a
very small matter altogether, and one which the smart solicitor who was
in Mr. Compton's interest spoke of with a certain contempt, as who
should say he was not in the habit of being disturbed and brought to the
country for any such trifle. It was now August--not a time when any man
was supposed to be available for matters like these. Mr. Lynch was just
about starting for his annual holiday, but came, at no small personal
inconvenience, to do his duty by the poor girl whom he had known all his
life. John and he travelled to the cottage together, and their aspect
was not cheerful. "Did you ever hear," said Mr. Lynch, "such a piece of
folly as this--a man with no character at all? This is what it is to
leave a girl in the sole care of her mother. What does a woman know
about such things?"

"I don't think it was her mother's fault," said John, anxious to do
justice all round. "Elinor is very head-strong, and when she has made up
her mind to a thing----"

"A bit of a girl!" said Mr. Lynch, contemptuously. He was an old bachelor
and knew nothing about the subject, as the reader will perceive. "Her
mother ought never to have permitted it for a moment. She should have
put down her foot: and then Miss Elinor would soon have come to reason.
What I wonder is the ruffian's own motives? for it can't be a little bit
of money like that. Five thousand's a mere mouthful to such a man as he
is. He'll get rid of it all in a week."

"It must be tied up as tight a