r, after a somewhat discursive account of his visit to the
Traverses, his admiration of Cecilia, and the adroitness with which,
acting on his cousin's hint, he had engaged the family to spend a few
days at Exmundham, added, "And, by the by, I have asked young Gordon to
meet them."

"To meet them! meet Mr. and Miss Travers! you have? I thought you wished
Kenelm to marry Cecilia. I was mistaken, you meant Gordon!"

"Gordon," exclaimed Sir Peter, dropping his knife and fork. "Nonsense,
you don't suppose that Miss Travers prefers him to Kenelm, or that
he has the presumption to fancy that her father would sanction his
addresses?"

"I indulge in no suppositions of the sort. I content myself with
thinking that Gordon is clever, insinuating, young; and it is a very
good chance of bettering himself that you have thrown in his way.
However, it is no affair of mine; and though on the whole I like
Kenelm better than Gordon, still I like Gordon very well, and I have
an interest in following his career which I can't say I have in
conjecturing what may be Kenelm's--more likely no career at all."

"Mivers, you delight in provoking me; you do say such uncomfortable
things. But, in the first place, Gordon spoke rather slightingly of Miss
Travers."

"Ah, indeed; that's a bad sign," muttered Mivers.

Sir Peter did not hear him, and went on.

"And, besides, I feel pretty sure that the dear girl has already a
regard for Kenelm which allows no room for a rival. However, I shall not
forget your hint, but keep a sharp lookout; and, if I see the young man
wants to be too sweet on Cecilia, I shall cut short his visit."

"Give yourself no trouble in the matter; it will do no good. Marriages
are made in heaven. Heaven's will be done. If I can get away I will
run down to you for a day or two. Perhaps in that case you can ask Lady
Glenalvon. I like her, and she likes Kenelm. Have you finished? I see
the brougham is at the door, and we have to call at your hotel to take
up your carpet-bag."

Mivers was deliberately sealing his notes while he thus spoke. He now
rang for his servant, gave orders for their delivery, and then followed
Sir Peter down stairs and into the brougham. Not a word would he say
more about Gordon, and Sir Peter shrank from telling him about the
L20,000. Chillingly Mivers was perhaps the last person to whom Sir
Peter would be tempted to parade an act of generosity. Mivers might not
unfrequently do a generous act himself,