. Denis, and repel your assault, sir," said Lucy,
smiling; "I think that there is nothing very wrong in what I ask, and
why then should I not have my way?"

"Excellent!" cried Hoffland, with a well-satisfied expression, and a
glance of intelligence directed toward Lucy. "I believe that we men
may study all our lives and break our heads with logic before we can
approach the acuteness of one of these ladies. Study is nothing
compared with natural instinct and genius!"

Denis rose with a sigh.

"You remind me, Mr. Hoffland," he said, "that I have a long chapter in
Blackstone to study; and it is already late."

"And I also have my studies," said Hoffland; "I think I will return
with you, Mr. Denis."

"You came to stay, Charles! You shall both stay," said Mowbray, "and I
will give you Blackstone's----"

"No, really, Ernest," said Hoffland, with a business air which made
Lucy laugh.

"And indeed I must return," said Denis, sighing.

"Ah, gentlemen, gentlemen!" said Mowbray, "you pay a fashionable call.
Why, Charles, you absolutely promised to stay."

"Yes, but I have changed my mind," said the boy, looking toward Lucy;
"and if Mr. Denis will ride with me in your curricle, or whatever it
is, you might ride his horse in, in the morning.

"Very well," said Mowbray.

"Willingly," said Denis.

"Then it is all arranged; and I return. Don't press me, Ernest, my
good fellow. When duty calls, every man must be at his post. I can't
stay."

And Hoffland laughed.

In fifteen minutes the vehicle was brought round, and the two young
men rose.

Denis bowed with some constraint to Lucy; but she would not see this
expression, and holding out her hand bade him good-bye with a smile
which lighted his path all the way back to town.

Hoffland shook hands with Lucy too; and a laughing glance of free
masonry passed between them.

Then, entering the vehicle, the two young men set forth toward
Williamsburg, over which a beautiful moon was rising like a crimson
cart-wheel. Ernest Mowbray stood for a moment on the porch of the
cottage following the receding vehicle with his eyes. At last it
disappeared--the sound of the wheels was no longer heard, and Mowbray
entered the cottage.

"Strange!" he murmured, "that memory still haunts me. What folly!"

And pressing his lips to Lucy's forehead, he retired to his study.

CHAPTER XXI.

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF SIR ASINUS.

Mowbray was an early riser; and the morning had not