nalvon.

"I wish I could tell you," answered Sir Peter. "He wrote me word that he
was going forth on rambles into 'fresh woods and pastures new,' perhaps
for some weeks. I have not had a word from him since."

"You make me uneasy," said Lady Glenalvon. "I hope nothing can have
happened to him: he cannot have fallen ill."

Cecilia stops her work, and looks up wistfully.

"Make your mind easy," said Travers with a laugh; "I am in this secret.
He has challenged the champion of England, and gone into the country to
train."

"Very likely," said Sir Peter, quietly: "I should not be in the least
surprised; should you, Miss Travers?"

"I think it more probable that Mr. Chillingly is doing some kindness to
others which he wishes to keep concealed."

Sir Peter was pleased with this reply, and drew his chair nearer to
Cecilia's. Lady Glenalvon, charmed to bring those two together, soon
rose and took leave.

Sir Peter remained nearly an hour talking chiefly with Cecilia, who won
her way into his heart with extraordinary ease; and he did not quit the
house till he had engaged her father, Mrs. Campion, and herself to pay
him a week's visit at Exmundham, towards the end of the London season,
which was fast approaching.

Having obtained this promise, Sir Peter went away, and ten minutes
after Mr. Chillingly Gordon entered the drawing-room. He had already
established a visiting acquaintance with the Traverses. Travers
had taken a liking to him. Mrs. Campion found him an extremely
well-informed, unaffected young man, very superior to young men in
general. Cecilia was cordially polite to Kenelm's cousin. Altogether
that was a very happy day for Sir Peter. He enjoyed greatly his dinner
at the Garrick, where he met some old acquaintance and was presented to
some new "celebrities." He observed that Gordon stood well with these
eminent persons. Though as yet undistinguished himself, they treated him
with a certain respect, as well as with evident liking. The most eminent
of them, at least the one with the most solidly established reputation,
said in Sir Peter's ear, "You may be proud of your nephew Gordon!"

"He is not my nephew, only the son of a very distant cousin."

"Sorry for that. But he will shed lustre on kinsfolk, however distant.
Clever fellow, yet popular; rare combination,--sure to rise."

Sir Peter suppressed a gulp in the throat. "Ah, if some one as eminent
had spoken thus of Kenelm!"

But he was too generous to