it to the man to
have such a daughter, and I am not sure that we do not derive some lustre
of a humble kind from his presence in the house. But, seriously, I
wonder at your short-sightedness, when you know the troubles we have had
through getting new men from nobody knows where.'

Neigh, perceiving that the breeze in the atmosphere might ultimately
intensify to a palpable black squall, seemed to think it would be well to
take leave of his uncle and aunt as soon as he conveniently could;
nevertheless, he was much less discomposed by the situation than by the
active cause which had led to it. When Mrs. Doncastle arose, her husband
said he was going to speak to Chickerel for a minute or two, and Neigh
followed his aunt upstairs.

Presently Doncastle joined them. 'I have been talking to Chickerel,' he
said. 'It is a very curious affair--this marriage of his daughter and
Lord Mountclere. The whole situation is the most astounding I have ever
met with. The man is quite ill about the news. He has shown me a letter
which has just reached him from his son on the same subject. Lord
Mountclere's brother and this young man have actually gone off together
to try to prevent the wedding, and Chickerel has asked to be allowed to
go himself, if he can get soon enough to the station to catch the night
mail. Of course he may go if he wishes.'

'What a funny thing!' said the lady, with a wretchedly factitious smile.
'The times have taken a strange turn when the angry parent of the comedy,
who goes post-haste to prevent the undutiful daughter's rash marriage, is
a gentleman from below stairs, and the unworthy lover a peer of the
realm!'

Neigh spoke for almost the first time. 'I don't blame Chickerel in
objecting to Lord Mountclere. I should object to him myself if I had a
daughter. I never liked him.'

'Why?' said Mrs. Doncastle, lifting her eyelids as if the act were a
heavy task.

'For reasons which don't generally appear.'

'Yes,' said Mr. Doncastle, in a low tone. 'Still, we must not believe
all we hear.'

'Is Chickerel going?' said Neigh.

'He leaves in five or ten minutes,' said Doncastle.

After a few further words Neigh mentioned that he was unable to stay
longer that evening, and left them. When he had reached the outside of
the door he walked a little way up the pavement and back again, as if
reluctant to lose sight of the street, finally standing under a lamp-post
whence he could command a view of Mr.