cables,--slip our cables and get away! What fun, my Lord,--what fun!"

"I don't believe such a marriage is worth a rush," went on Beecher, in
that tone of affirmation by which he often stimulated his craven heart
to feel a mock confidence. "At least, of this I am certain, there are
five hundred fellows in England would find out a way to smash it."

"And do you want to 'cryoff my Lord?" asked Twining, abruptly.

"I might, or I might not; that depends. You see, Twining, there's
rather a wide line of country between Annesley Beecher with nothing, and
Viscount Lackington with a snug little estate; and if I had only known,
last Sunday morning, that I was qualified to run for a cup I'd scarcely
have entered for a hack stakes."

"But then, you are to remember her connections."

"Connections!" laughed out Beecher, scornfully.

"Well, family,--friends; in short, she may have brothers,--a father?"

"She _has_ a father, by Jove!--she _has_ a father!"

"May I be so bold as to ask--"

"Oh, you know him well!--all the world knows him, for the matter of
that. What do you say to Kit Davis,--Grog!"

"Grog Davis, my Lord?--Grog Davis!"

"Just so," said Beecher, lighting a cigar with an affected composure he
intended to pass off for great courage.

"Grog--Grog--Grog!--wonderful fellow! astonishing fellow! up to
everything! and very amusing! I must say, my Lord,--I must say, your
Lordship's father-in-law is a very remarkable man."

"I rather suspect he is, Twining."

"Under the circumstances,--the actual circumstances, I should say, my
Lord, keep your engagement,--keep your engagement."

"I understand you, Twining; you don't fancy Master Grog. Well, I know an
opinion of that kind is abroad. Many people are afraid of him; _I_ never
was,--eh?" The last little interrogative was evoked by a strange smile
that flickered across Twining's face. "You suspect that I _am_ afraid of
him, Twining; now, why should I?"

"Can't possibly conceive, my Lord,--cannot imagine a reason."

"He is what is called a dangerous fellow."

"Very dangerous."

"Vindictive."

"To the last. Never abandons a pursuit, they tell me."

"But we live in an age of civilization, Twining. Men of his stamp can't
take the law in their own hands."

"I 'm afraid that is exactly the very thing they do, my Lord; they
contrive always to be in the wrong, and consequently have everything
their own way;" and so Mr. Twining rubbed his hands, slapped his legs,
and