the voluble frank
creature, which she evaded with surprising neatness, showing herself
more awake than one would have imagined her. Janet and I fancied she
must have come with the intention to act uxorious husband and Irish wife
for the distinct purpose of diverting the squire's wrath from me, for he
greatly delighted in the sight of merry wedded pairs. But they were as
simple as possible in their display of happiness.

It chanced that they came opportunely. My bankers' book had been the
theme all the morning, and an astonishing one to me equally with my
grandfather: Since our arrival in England, my father had drawn nine
thousand pounds. The sums expended during our absence on the Continent
reached the perplexing figures of forty-eight thousand. I knew it too
likely, besides, that all debts were not paid. Self--self--self drew for
thousands at a time; sometimes, as the squire's convulsive forefinger
indicated, for many thousands within a week. It was incomprehensible to
him until I, driven at bay by questions and insults, and perceiving that
concealment could not long be practised, made a virtue of the situation
by telling him (what he in fact must have seen) that my father possessed
a cheque-book as well as I, and likewise drew upon the account. We
had required the money; it was mine, and I had sold out Bank Stock and
Consols,--which gave very poor interest, I remarked cursorily-and
had kept the money at my bankers', to draw upon according to our
necessities. I pitied the old man while speaking. His face was livid;
language died from his lips. He asked to have little things explained
to him--the two cheque-books, for instance,--and what I thought of doing
when this money was all gone: for he supposed I did not expect the same
amount to hand every two years; unless, he added, I had given him no
more than a couple of years' lease of life when I started for my tour.
'Then the money's gone!' he summed up; and this was the signal for
redemanding explanations. Had he not treated me fairly and frankly in
handing over my own to me on the day of my majority? Yes.

'And like a fool, you think--eh?'

'I have no such thought in my head, sir.'

'You have been keeping that fellow in his profligacy, and you 're
keeping him now. Why, you 're all but a beggar!... Comes to my house,
talks of his birth, carries off my daughter, makes her mad, lets her
child grow up to lay hold of her money, and then grips him fast and
pecks him, flee