rney instantly secured; and then, vowing
vengeance against the donor, he slunk off in the opposite direction; but
only to double round by a back street, and track the cab like a dog,
till he saw it set down its inmates at the humble little home of Mrs
Jenkles.

Volume 2, Chapter X.

FRANK PRATT'S CROSS-EXAMINATION, AND APRES.

Captain Vanleigh had declared solemnly that Penreife was "the deucedest
dullest place" he ever saw in his life; and Sir Felix said it was
"'nough to kill 'fler;" but, all the same, there was no talk to Trevor
of moving; they lounged about the house chatting to each other, and
consumed their host's cigars to a wonderful extent; they ate his dinners
and drank his wine; and Vanleigh generally contrived to go to bed a few
guineas richer every night from the whist table.

Pratt protested against the play, but Trevor laughed at him.

"My dear boy," he said, "why not let such matters take their course?
Van is my guest; surely I should be a bad host if I did not let him win
a little spare cash. Have you anything else to grumble about?"

"Heaps," said Pratt, trying to put his little legs on a chair in front
of the garden seat where he and his friend were having a morning cigar;
but they were too short, and he gave up the attempt.

"Go on, then," said Trevor, lazily, "have your grumble out."

"Hadn't I better go back to town?" said Pratt, sharply.

"Why, are you not comfortable?"

"Yes--no--yes--no. I'm precious uncomfortable. I see too much," said
Pratt.

"Well, let's hear what you see that makes you so uncomfortable," said
Trevor, carelessly.

"Dick, old boy," said Pratt, "you won't be offended with me for what I
say?"

"Not I," was the answer.

"What are you thinking about?" said Pratt, watching the other's face.

"I was only thinking about you, and wondering why, if you don't like
what you see, you can't close your eyes."

"That's what you are doing, Dick!" said Pratt, eagerly.

"My dear Frank, have you discovered powder barrels beneath the house--is
there a new plot?"

"Don't be so foolish, Dick. Why don't you let those two fellows go?"

"Because they are my guests, and stay as long as they like."

"And are doing their very best to undermine your happiness."

"Nonsense, man."

"Dick, old fellow, answer me honestly. Don't you care a great deal for
that little girl up at Tolcarne?"

There was a few moments' pause, during which the colour came into
Trevor's cheek.

"Ho