inquired Mr. Frampton, hastily setting down his wine
untasted, and speaking quickly, and with much excitement.

"Do you see that?" whispered Lawless, nudging me, "he's off on a false
scent; he never could bear the idea of my marrying Fanny, he as good as
told me so one day; now be quiet, and I'll get a rise out of him." He
then continued, addressing Mr. Frampton: "You're getting a little hard
of hearing, I'm afraid, sir; I was proposing the health of a certain
happy couple, or rather of two people, who will, I hope, become so, in
the common acceptation of the term, before very long".

"Umph! I heard what you said, sir, plain enough (wish I hadn't), and I
suppose I can guess what you mean. I'm a plain-spoken man, sir, and I
tell you honestly I don't like the thing, and I don't approve of the
thing--I never have, and so once for all--I--umph! I won't drink your
toast, sir, that's flat. Umph! umph!"

~386~~ "Well," said Lawless, making a sign to Harry not to speak, "you
are a privileged person, you know; and if Sir John and my friend Harry
here don't object to your refusing the toast, it's not for me to take
any notice of it; but I must say, considering the lady is the sister of
your especial favourite Frank Fairlegh, and the gentleman one whom you
have known from boyhood, I take it as particularly unkind of you, Mr.
Frampton, not even to wish them well."

"Eh! umph! it isn't that, boy--it isn't that," returned Mr. Frampton,
evidently taken aback by this appeal to his kindly feeling. "But, you
see," he added, turning to Sir John, "the thing is foolish altogether,
they are not at all suited to each other; and instead of being happy, as
they fancy, they'll make each other miserable: the boy's a very good boy
in his way, kind-hearted and all that, but truth is truth, and he's no
more fit to marry Fanny Fairlegh than I am."

"Sorry I can't agree with you, Mr. Frampton," replied Sir John Oaklands,
drawing himself up stiffly; "I thank Mr. Lawless most heartily for his
toast, and drink it without a moment's hesitation. Here's to the health
of the young couple!"

"Well, I see you are all against me," exclaimed Mr. Frampton, "and I
don't like to seem unkind. They say marriages are made in heaven, so I
suppose it must be all right. Here's the health of the happy couple, Mr.
Lawless and Miss Fairlegh!"

It was now Lawless's turn to look out of countenance, and for a moment
he did appear thoroughly disconcerted, more especiall