ir Harry, he determined to speak his
mind freely.

"Sir Harry," he said, "in this matter I must tell you what I really
think."

"Certainly."

"I am sorry to have to speak ill of one bearing your name; and were
not the matter urgent as it is, I should probably repress something
of my opinion. As it is, I do not dare to do so. You could not in all
London find a man less fit to be the husband of Miss Hotspur than her
cousin."

"He is a gentleman--by birth," said Sir Harry.

"He is an unprincipled blackguard by education, and the more
blackguard because of his birth; there is nothing too bad for him to
do, and very little so bad but what he has done it. He is a gambler,
a swindler, and, as I believe, a forger and a card-sharper. He has
lived upon the wages of the woman he has professed to love. He has
shown himself to be utterly spiritless, abominable, and vile. If my
clerk in the next room were to slap his face, I do not believe that
he would resent it." Sir Harry frowned, and moved his feet rapidly
on the floor. "In my thorough respect and regard for you, Sir Harry,"
continued Mr. Boltby, "I have undertaken a work which I would not
have done for above two or three other men in the world beside
yourself. I am bound to tell you the result, which is this,--that I
would sooner give my own girl to the sweeper at the crossing than to
George Hotspur."

Sir Harry's brow was very black. Perhaps he had not quite known his
lawyer. Perhaps it was that he had less power of endurance than
he had himself thought in regard to the mention of his own family
affairs. "Of course," he said, "I am greatly indebted to you, Mr.
Boltby, for the trouble you have taken."

"I only hope it may be of service to you."

"It has been of service. What may be the result in regard to this
unfortunate young man I cannot yet say. He has refused our offer,--I
must say as I think--honourably."

"It means nothing."

"How nothing, Mr. Boltby?"

"No man accepts such a bargain at first. He is playing his hand
against yours, Sir Harry, and he knows that he has got a very good
card in his own. It was not to be supposed that he would give in at
once. In besieging a town the surest way is to starve the garrison.
Wait a while and he will give in. When a town has within its walls
such vultures as will now settle upon him, it cannot stand out very
long. I shall hear more of him before many days are over."

"You think, then, that I may return to Humblethw