ry decided, then?" asked Culduff.

"No, my Lord; the trial comes on next term. I only repeat the assurance
given me by my lawyer; and so far confirmed by him that he has made me
large advances, which he well knows I could not repay if I should not
gain my cause."

"These are usually cautious people," said the Viscount, gravely.

"It strikes me," said Marion, rising, "that this sort of desultory
conversation on a matter of such importance is, to say the least,
inconvenient. Even the presence of this gentleman is not sufficient to
make me forget that my family have always regarded his pretension as
something not very far from a fraud."

"I regret infinitely, madam," said Pracontal, bowing low, "that it is
not a man has uttered the words just spoken."

"Lady Culduff's words, sir, are all mine," said Lord Culduff.

"I thank your Lordship from my heart for the relief you have afforded
me."

"There must be nothing of this kind," said Lady Augusta, warmly. "If I
have been remiss in not making Count Pracontal known to you before, let
me repair my error by presenting him now as a gentleman who makes me the
offer of his hand."

"I wish you good-morning," said Marion. "No, thank you; no luncheon.
Your Ladyship has given me fully as much for digestion as I care for.
Good-bye."

"If my congratulations could only shadow forth a vision of all the
happiness I wish your Ladyship," began Lord Culduff.

"I think I know, my Lord, what you would say," broke she in, laughingly.
"You would like to have uttered something very neat on well-assorted
unions. There could be no better authority on such a subject; but Count
Pracontal is toleration itself: he lets me tell my friends that I am
about to marry him for money, just as I married poor Colonel Bramleigh
for love."

"I am waiting for you, my Lord. We have already trespassed too far on
her Ladyship's time and occupations." The sneering emphasis on the last
word was most distinct. Lord Culduff kissed Lady Augusta's hand with a
most devoted show of respect, and slowly retired.

As the door closed after them, Pracontal fell at her feet, and covered
her hand with kisses.

"There, there, Count, I have paid a high price for that piece of
impertinence I have just uttered; but when I said it, I thought it would
have given her an apoplexy."

"But you are mine,--you are my own!"

"_Noud en parlerons_. The papers are full of breaches of promise;
and if you want me to keep mine, you 'l