upon it your progeny--and it threatens to
be numerous--will cry aloud and rue the day. Nature never forgives! A
lost dinner can never be replaced! Good-night, my dear boy. And
here--oblige me by taking this," he handed Richard the enormous envelope
containing what he had written that evening. "Credentials!" he exclaimed
humorously, slapping Richard on the shoulder. Ripton heard also the words
"propagator--species," but had no idea of their import. The wise youth
looked: You see we've made matters all right for you here, and quitted
the room on that unusual gleam of earnestness.

Richard shook his hand, and Ripton's. Then Lady Blandish said her
good-night, praising Lucy, and promising to pray for their mutual
happiness. The two men who knew what was hanging over him, spoke together
outside. Ripton was for getting a positive assurance that the duel would
not be fought, but Adrian said: "Time enough tomorrow. He's safe enough
while he's here. I'll stop it to-morrow:" ending with banter of Ripton
and allusions to his adventures with Miss Random, which must, Adrian
said, have led him into many affairs of the sort. Certainly Richard was
there, and while he was there he must be safe. So thought Ripton, and
went to his bed. Mrs. Doria deliberated likewise, and likewise thought
him safe while he was there. For once in her life she thought it better
not to trust to her instinct, for fear of useless disturbance where peace
should be. So she said not a syllable of it to her brother. She only
looked more deeply into Richard's eyes, as she kissed him, praising Lucy.
"I have found a second daughter in her, dear. Oh! may you both be happy!"

They all praised Lucy, now. His father commenced the moment they were
alone. "Poor Helen! Your wife has been a great comfort to her, Richard. I
think Helen must have sunk without her. So lovely a young person,
possessing mental faculty, and a conscience for her duties, I have never
before met."

He wished to gratify his son by these eulogies of Lucy, and some hours
back he would have succeeded. Now it had the contrary effect.

"You compliment me on my choice, sir?"

Richard spoke sedately, but the irony was perceptible and he could speak
no other way, his bitterness was so intense.

"I think you very fortunate," said his father.

Sensitive to tone and manner as he was, his ebullition of paternal
feeling was frozen. Richard did not approach him. He leaned against the
chimney-piece, glancing