e turned as white as ashes, and ~296~~ asked, in a voice that
trembled with passion, "Whether I meant to insult him?"

"I spoke heedlessly, and without deliberate intention," I replied; "but
perhaps it is only fair to tell you that for the future there can be
no friendly communication between us; we must either avoid each other
altogether, which would be the most desirable arrangement, or meet as
strangers. The disgraceful conduct of the boy I could have forgiven and
forgotten, had not its memory been revived by the evil deeds of the man.
Richard Cumberland, I know you thoroughly; it is needless for me to add
more."

As I spoke his cheek flushed, then grew pale again with shame and anger,
while he bit his under lip so severely that a red line remained where
his teeth had pressed it. When I concluded, he advanced towards me with
a threatening gesture, but, unable to meet the steadfast look with which
I confronted him, he turned abruptly on his heel, and muttering, "You
shall repent this," disappeared among the shrubs.

CHAPTER XXXVIII PACING THE ENEMY

"'Sir,' said the Count, with brow exceeding grave,
'Your unexpected presence here will make
It necessary for myself to crave
Its import? But perhaps it's a mistake.
I hope it is so; and at once, to waive
All compliment, I hope so for your sake.
You understand my meaning, or you shall.'"
_Beppo_.

"IS your master--is Mr. Vernor at home?" inquired I of the grim-visaged
old servant, who looked, if possible, taller and more wooden than when I
had last seen him.

"Well, I suppose not, sir!" was the somewhat odd reply.

"You suppose!" repeated I; "if you have any doubt, had you not better go
and see?"

"That won't be of no manner of use, sir," was the rejoinder; "I should
not be none the wiser."

It was clear that the old man was a complete original; but his affection
for Clara was a virtue which in my eyes would have atoned for any amount
of eccentricity; and as I was anxious to stand well in his good graces,
I ~297~~ determined to fall in with his humour; accordingly I replied
with a smile, "How do you make out that--did you never hear that seeing
is believing?"

"Not always, sir," he answered, "for if I'd a trusted to my
eyesight--and it ain't so bad neither for a man that's no great way
off sixty--I should have fancied Muster Wernor was a sitting in the
liberrary; but he told