tributed her indifference and coolness to the innate shyness of a
young girl who had passed the greater part of her life in absolute
retirement; thinking, too, that as Sir Murray had all along shown
himself in favour of the connection, all he had to do was to go on
quietly for a few months, when the day would be fixed, the wedding take
place, and he, possessed of the handsome dowry brought by his wife in
exchange for an empty title, would be free from the unpleasant visits
and reminders of his money-lending acquaintances.

But of late matters had assumed an aspect that troubled him. This
appearance of, to him, an entirely new character upon the stage, was a
something for which he had not bargained. At first it was too
ridiculous; the idea was preposterous that a young naval lieutenant
should compete with him--should come between his nobility and the object
upon which he had set his choice: he--Lord Maudlaine--son of an Earl,
with the said Earl's coronet looming for him in no very distant part of
the future's horizon.

But there was the mishap in the marsh. Deuced unfortunate thing, you
know. It wouldn't have mattered if it had been himself, and he had
dived in after her; but for this impertinent fellow to be on the marsh,
and run and jump in after Miss Gernon, it was too bad, you know--a deal
too bad--and he couldn't stand much more of it.

"Horsewhip him!" said Sir Murray, with a fierce snarl, when, after a
good deal of circumlocution, his lordship complained of the coolness of
his intended, and her frequent encounters with Brace Norton.

"But--a--a don't you think--wouldn't it be better if you spoke to her
upon the subject--forbade her, you know, to see him any more?" said his
lordship.

"Horsewhip him, I tell you!" snarled Sir Murray. "Or, would your
lordship like to wake up some morning to the fact that she had disgraced
us by a foolish escapade--gone off, for instance, with this vagabond?"
said Sir Murray, fiercely.

"No! By Jove, no!" exclaimed the Viscount, turning pale at the very
thought, and suffering from incipient symptoms of Braham on the brain.

"Because," said Sir Murray, giving an involuntary shudder, as he thought
of the past--"because any anger on my part, any undue influence, would
militate against your prospects--drive her, as it were, into the
scoundrel's arms!"

"Don't put it in that light, please," said his lordship, faintly.

"You are young, strong, and active," continued Sir Murr