tter. Indeed,
he is simply infatuated or bewitched, I really don't know which."

"I am sorry for it, Lady Bellamy, as I cannot----"

"One moment, Mr. Caresfoot; first let me tell you his offer, then we
can talk it over. He offers, conditionally on his marriage with your
daughter, to sell you the Isleworth estates at a fair valuation
hereafter to be agreed upon, and to make a large settlement."

"And what part does he wish me to play in the matter?"

"This. First, you must get rid of young Heigham, and prevent him from
holding _any_ communication, either with Angela herself, or with any
other person connected with this place, for one year from the date of
his departure. Secondly, you must throw no obstacle in George's path.
Thirdly, if required, you must dismiss her old nurse, Pigott."

"It cannot be, Lady Bellamy. I came here to tell you so. I dare not
force my daughter into such a marriage for all the estates in
England."

Lady Bellamy laughed.

"It is amusing," she said, "to see a father afraid of his own
daughter; but you are over-hasty, Mr. Caresfoot. Who asked you to
force her? All you are asked to do is not to interfere, and leave the
rest to myself and George. You will have nothing to do with it one way
or the other, nor will any responsibility rest with you. Besides, it
is very probable that your cousin will live down his fancy, or some
other obstacle will arise to put an end to the thing, in which case
Mr. Heigham will come back at the end of his year's probation, and
events will take their natural course. It is only wise and right that
you should try the constancy of these young lovers, instead of letting
them marry out of hand. If, on the other hand, Angela should in the
course of the year declare a preference for her cousin, surely that
will be no affair of yours."

"I don't understand what your interest is in this matter, Lady
Bellamy."

"My dear Mr. Caresfoot, what does my interest matter to you? Perhaps I
have one, perhaps I have not; all women love match-making, you know;
what really is important is your decision," and she shot a glance at
him from the heavy-lidded eyes, only to recognize that he was not
convinced by her arguments, or, if convinced, obstinate. "By the way,"
she went on, slowly, "George asked me to make a payment to you on his
account, money that has, he says, been long owing, but which it has
not hitherto been convenient to repay."

"What is the sum?" asked Philip, abstracte