er cause against her overbearing relations.

At his suggestion she wrote back to decline Sir George Gorgon's
peremptory invitation, and hinted at the same time that she had attained
an age and a position which enabled her to be the mistress of her own
actions. To this letter there came an answer from Lady Gorgon which we
shall not copy, but which simply stated that Miss Lucy Gorgon's conduct
was unchristian, ungrateful, unladylike, and immodest; that the Gorgon
family disowned her for the future, and left her at liberty to form
whatever base connections she pleased.

"A pretty world this," said Mr. Crampton, in a great rage, when the
letter was shown to him. "This same fellow, Scully, dissuades my nephew
from taking a place, because Scully wants it for himself. This prude of
a Lady Gorgon cries out shame, and disowns an innocent amiable girl: she
a heartless jilt herself once, and a heartless flirt now. The Pharisees,
the Pharisees! And to call mine a base family, too!"

Now, Lady Gorgon did not in the least know Mr. Crampton's connection
with Mr. Perkins, or she would have been much more guarded in her
language; but whether she knew it or not, the old gentleman felt a huge
indignation, and determined to have his revenge.

"That's right, Uncle! SHALL I call Gorgon out?" said the impetuous young
Perkins, who was all for blood.

"John, you are a fool," said his uncle. "You shall have a better
revenge: you shall be married from Sir George Gorgon's house, and you
shall see Mr. William Pitt Scully sold for nothing." This to the veteran
diplomatist seemed to be the highest triumph which man could possibly
enjoy.

It was very soon to take place: and, as has been the case ever since the
world began, woman, lovely woman was to be the cause of Scully's fall.
The tender scene at Lord Mantrap's was followed by many others equally
sentimental. Sir George Gorgon called upon his colleague the very next
day, and brought with him a card from Lady Gorgon inviting Mr. Scully
to dinner. The attorney eagerly accepted the invitation, was received
in Baker Street by the whole amiable family with much respectful
cordiality, and was pressed to repeat his visits as country neighbours
should. More than once did he call, and somehow always at the hour when
Sir George was away at his club, or riding in the Park, or elsewhere
engaged. Sir George Gorgon was very old, very feeble, very much
shattered in constitution. Lady Gorgon used to impart h