out for himself the hopelessness of his suit. Now
Brace thought that the letter had miscarried, and wrote another, but
paused before sending it, as he recalled the short space of time that
had elapsed since the first was written.

But at last came Sir Murray's answer, written in a cool, formal,
gentlemanly spirit, exceedingly courteous, but with every sentence
bearing a cold, despairing feeling to Brace Norton's heart as it
requested that he, as an officer and a gentleman, would refrain from
seeking further intimacy with Sir Murray Gernon's family. Intercourse
even of the most formal nature was quite out of the question. In
conclusion, Sir Murray thanked Mr Norton for the services he had
rendered to his family, and left it to Mr Brace Norton's good sense to
see that no further advances could be countenanced. Did Mr Brace
Norton wish to know more--always supposing him ignorant, as his
behaviour led Sir Murray Gernon to imagine--Mrs Norton would doubtless
supply certain links, such as would show to her son the truth of Sir
Murray's assertion--that intercourse between the families was out of the
question.

Every word of that letter was so much molten misery, so much bitterness,
that Brace Norton felt himself forced to drain to the dregs. He had no
occasion to refer to his mother for confirmation of Sir Murray's words;
and yet why could not reconciliation come? Despair was his answer, and
he hurried out to walk for hours, seeking the spots where he had
encountered her, when at last he saw her riding slowly along a lane,
followed at some little distance by Lord Maudlaine.

For a few moments Brace stood irresolute. What should he do? Resign
himself to his fate, and, waiting what time would bring forth, be
patient? Had Isa been alone, perhaps he might have so acted; but there
was the suitor favoured by the father dodging her like a shadow, and he
smiled as he thought of the madness of waiting, when, as to what time
would bring forth, there was the answer in the shape of the Viscount.
It was of no avail: the heart, he told himself, was ungovernable; and,
forgetting Sir Murray's letter and all else in his love, he strode
forward, and the next minute was at Isa's side.

Book 2, Chapter XIII.

"ONE-TWO!"

It is said that money has little to do with love. Be that as it may,
the more often Lord Maudlaine's thoughts reverted to his friend Mr
Braham, the more he increased his attentions to Isa Gernon. At first he
at