lord," answered Donal, "the moment a man speaks of love to a woman,
be she as lowly and ignorant as mother Eve, that moment rank and
privilege vanish, and distinction is annihilated."

The earl gave a small sharp smile.

"You would make a good pleader, Mr. Grant! But if you had seen the
consequences of such marriage half as often as I, you would modify your
ideas. Mark what I say: this marriage shall not take place--by God!
What! should I for a moment talk of it with coolness were there the
smallest actual danger of its occurrence--did I not know that it never
could, never shall take place! The boy is a fool, and he shall know it!
I have him in my power--neck and heels in my power! He does not know
it, and never could guess how; but it is true: one word from me, and
the rascal is paralysed! Oblige me by telling him what I have just
said. The absurd marriage shall not take place, I repeat. Invalid as I
am, I am not yet reduced to the condition of an obedient father."

He took up a small bottle, poured a little from it, added water, and
drank--then resumed.

"Now for the girl: who knows about it?"

"So far as I am aware, no one but her grandfather. He had come to the
castle to inquire after her, and was with me when we came upon them in
the fruit garden."

"Then let no further notice be taken of it. Tell no one--not even Mrs.
Brookes. Let the young fools do as they please."

"I cannot consent to that, my lord."

"Why, what the devil have you to do with it?"

"I am the friend of her people."

"Pooh! pooh! don't talk rubbish. What is it to them! I'll see to them.
It will all come right. The affair will settle itself. By Jove, I'm
sorry you interfered! The thing would have been much better left alone."

"My lord," said Donal, "I can listen to nothing in this strain."

"All I ask is--promise not to interfere."

"I will not."

"Thank you."

"My lord, you mistake. I will not promise. Nay, I will interfere. What
to do, I do not now know; but I will save the girl if I can."

"And ruin an ancient family! You think nothing of that!"

"Its honour, my lord, will be best preserved in that of the girl."

"Damn you? will you preach to me?"

Notwithstanding his fierce words, Donal could not help seeing or
imagining an almost suppliant look in his eye.

"You must do as I tell you in my house," he went on, "or you will soon
see the outside of it. Come: marry the girl yourself--she is deuced
pretty--and I will give