nces. He had been cowed by the unexpected impertinence of
his rival,--by the insolence of a man to whom he thought that he had
obtained the power of being always himself as insolent as he pleased.
He could not recover his ground quickly, or carry himself before his
lady's eye as though he was unconscious of the wound he had received.
So he sat silent, while Bellfield was discoursing fluently. He sat in
silence, comforting himself with reflections on his own wealth, and
on the poverty of the other, and promising himself a rich harvest
of revenge when the moment should come in which he might tell Mrs
Greenow how absolutely that man was a beggar, a swindler, and a
rascal.

And he was astonished when an opportunity for doing so came very
quickly. Before the neighbouring clock had done striking seven,
Bellfield rose from his chair to go. He first of all spoke a word of
farewell to Miss Fairstairs; then he turned to his late host; "Good
night, Cheesacre," he said, in the easiest tone in the world; after
that he pressed the widow's hand and whispered his adieu.

"I thought you were staying at Oileymead?" said Mrs Greenow.

"I came from there this morning," said the Captain.

"But he isn't going back there, I can tell you," said Mr Cheesacre.

"Oh, indeed," said Mrs Greenow; "I hope there is nothing wrong."

"All as right as a trivet," said the Captain; and then he was off.

"I promised mamma that I would be home by seven," said Charlie
Fairstairs, rising from her chair. It cannot be supposed that she had
any wish to oblige Mr Cheesacre, and therefore this movement on her
part must be regarded simply as done in kindness to Mrs Greenow. She
might be mistaken in supposing that Mrs Greenow would desire to be
left alone with Mr Cheesacre; but it was clear to her that in this
way she could give no offence, whereas it was quite possible that she
might offend by remaining. A little after seven Mr Cheesacre found
himself alone with the lady.

"I'm sorry to find," said she, gravely, "that you two have
quarrelled."

"Mrs Greenow," said he, jumping up, and becoming on a sudden full of
life, "that man is a downright swindler."

"Oh, Mr Cheesacre."

"He is. He'll tell you that he was at Inkerman, but I believe he
was in prison all the time." The Captain had been arrested, I think
twice, and thus Mr Cheesacre justified to himself this assertion. "I
doubt whether he ever saw a shot fired," he continued.

"He's none the worse fo