erated! Not a word! It's not possible to exaggerate Cilly's
coolness. I did say something about going with them.'

'You must, if they go at all!' exclaimed Honora.

'Out of the question, Sweet Honey. They reject me with disdain, declare
that I should only render them commonplace, and that "rich and rare were
the gems she wore" would never have got across Ireland safe if she had a
great strapping brother to hamper her. And really, as Charles says, I
don't suppose any damage can well happen to them.'

Honora would not talk of it, and turned the conversation to what was to
be done on the following day. Owen eagerly proffered himself as escort,
and suggested all manner of plans, evidently assuming the entire
direction and protection of the two ladies, who were to meet him at
luncheon in Lowndes Square, and go with him to the Royal Academy, which,
as he and Honora agreed, must necessarily be the earliest object for the
sake of providing innocent conversation.

As soon as the clock struck ten, Robert took leave, and Owen rose, but
instead of going, lingered, talking Oxford with Mr. Parsons, and telling
good stories, much to the ladies' amusement, though increasing Honora's
trepidation by the fear that something in his tone about the authorities,
or the slang of his manner, might not give her friends a very good idea
of his set. The constant fear of what might come next, absolutely made
her impatient for his departure, and at last she drove him away, by
begging to know how he was going all that distance, and offering to send
Henry to call a cab, a thing he was too good-natured to permit. He bade
good night and departed, while Mr. Parsons, in answer to her eager eyes,
gratified her by pronouncing him a very fine young man.

'He is very full of spirit,' she said. 'You must let me tell you a story
of him. They have a young new schoolmistress at Wrapworth, his father's
former living, you know, close to Castle Blanch. This poor thing was
obliged to punish a school-child, the daughter of one of the bargemen on
the Thames, a huge ruffianly man. Well, a day or two after, Owen came
upon him in a narrow lane, bullying the poor girl almost out of her life,
threatening her, and daring her to lay a finger on his children. What do
you think Owen did?'

'Fought him, I suppose,' said Mr. Parsons, judging by the peculiar
delight ladies take in such exploits. 'Besides, he has sufficiently the
air of a hero to make it incumben