with disdain."

"Well, well, I know that she was proud; her mother was always a proud
woman. Mr Mason, in his younger days, held property of his own, at
least his father did, but he ran through it revelling and horse-racing;
but what does that prove?"

"I only say, madam, what was said at the time by everybody, that Bella
Mason never would have married that marine, whom she looked upon with
contempt, although he certainly was a good-looking young man, if she had
not been obliged to do so."

"But why obliged, Phillis?"

"To conceal her shame, madam; for, if you recollect, the child was born
three months after marriage."

"I recollect that, very well," replied Miss Delmar; "it was a sad thing,
and, as my nephew said, I ought to have looked out sharper after Bella
than I did, and not have allowed her to be so much in company with that
marine."

"That marine, ma'am! he was innocent enough; Bella was not likely to
listen to one like him."

"Who can you mean then, Phillis?"

"Why, Lord de Versely, ma'am, to be sure. Everybody in the Hall was
sure the child was his; he and Bella were for ever together for months
before her marriage."

"Phillis, Phillis, you don't know what you are saying--it's impossible;
indeed, I recollect talking the matter over with Lord de Versely, who
was then Captain Delmar, and he was more shocked at the impropriety than
even I was, and offered to give the marine a good whipping."

"That may be, madam, but still Captain Delmar was the father of that
boy; for, if you recollect, old Mrs Mason came to the Hall, and went
away almost immediately."

"Well, what of that? she was displeased no doubt."

"Yes, indeed she was, madam; but she had a private meeting with Captain
Delmar; and Mrs Short, the housekeeper, overheard what passed, and I
understand that the captain did not deny it to her. One thing is
certain, that Mrs Mason, as she was going away, in her rage made use of
language about Captain Delmar, which otherwise she never would have
dared. And, then, madam, only look at Captain Keene,--why, he is the
very image of his lordship."

"He is very like him, certainly," said the old lady, musing.

"And then, madam, do you think his lordship would have brought the boy
up in the service, and made him a post-captain, if he had been the son
of a marine? And then, madam, see how fond his lordship is of him; why,
he dotes upon him; and would he ask the son of his own servant to come
down