longer wonder why Francis
had so great an aversion to outward forms and ceremonies.

"But," I resumed, "are you not afraid that after your death your
granddaughter will be sadly undeceived, and perhaps cheated out of
her all by your negligence."

"What can I say, mon cher? Necessity knows no law; and I still hope
to better my fortune before the end comes."

"At his age, by what means?" I asked myself.

Then I thought of the packet he had been to fetch from the
post-office. I believed I had seen it contained long lists of numbers;
they were certainly the official numbers of some German lottery. The
unhappy man evidently rested all his hopes on this expedient for
re-establishing order in his affairs; and probably invested every
penny he could scrape together in such lotteries. I though him an
idiot to trust to any such means.

"Nephew," he exclaimed, briskly, and with vivacity, as if a bright
idea had struck him, "if it be true Overberg intends to treat with me
about the sale of the Castle, would it not be well for you to break
the subject to Francis, just to sound her? It appears to me you have
some influence over her; and the greatest obstacle would be removed
if you could change her fixed ideas on the point."

"I will do so, uncle."

"You can make use of this argument, that the company of the Captain
would become less of a necessity for me if I were in some town where
other society is to be found."

Fortunately I did not need to answer him: we were at home, the luncheon
bell was ringing, and the Captain came out to meet us, jovial as
ever. Francis had not returned, and we took luncheon without waiting
for her. Only at dinner-time did she put in an appearance. Her toilette
was simply made, but she was dressed in good taste, and her beauty
brought out to perfection. I was charmed. She seemed to tell me in
a silent way that Major Frank had given place to Miss Mordaunt. She
was quiet and thoughtful at dinner, and did not scold the Captain,
who watched all her movements with dog-like humility. She paid much
attention to the General, who seemed absent and out of sorts, for he
only tasted some of the dishes. The dinner itself was a much simpler
affair than on the preceding day; yet there was sufficient, and one
extra dish had been made specially for Von Zwenken, who did not ask
for the finer sorts of wine, but made up for this want by drinking two
bottles of the ordinary wine without appearing any the worse for it.