m--hear me out, sir"--a magisterial wave of the hand here, and a
quiet settling down into the chair, as of one about to pass
sentence--"Er-rum--as to your formal matrimonial proposals, they are
quite out of the question. Captain Vanleigh has honoured me by
proposing for my daughter Valentina's hand, and he is accepted."

"By the young lady?" exclaimed Trevor.

"Er-rum! there is no occasion for us to enter upon that point, Mr
Trevor, for--tut! tut! what do you want here, Lady Rea?--this is
business."

"Fanny!" exclaimed Miss Matilda, as her sister-in-law entered the room,
walked up to Trevor, shook hands very warmly, and then accepted the
chair he vacated on her behalf.

"Thank you, Mr Trevor. Matty, I think any of my husband's affairs that
are business for you, are business for me," said Lady Rea, firmly; "and
as I know why Mr Trevor has visited us this morning, I came down."

Aunt Matty looked yellow with anger, and for a few moments Sir Hampton's
magisterial dignity was so upset that he could only ejaculate "Er-rum"
three times at a few seconds' interval. It was awful, this
manifestation of firmness on his wife's part, and he could only glare
fiercely.

"What have you been saying to Mr Trevor?" said Lady Rea, earnestly.

"Sir Hampton informs me that the young lady is irrevocably engaged to
Captain Vanleigh," said Trevor, quietly. "May I appeal to Miss Rea?"

"My daughters will leave us to discriminate as to--er-rum--what is good
for them," said Sir Hampton, stiffly. "Mr Trevor, we must bring this
very unpleasant interview to an end. Sir--er-rum!--you have heard my--
er-rum--ultimatum!"

Aunt Matty bowed, and smiled a wintry smile, that was as cold as her
steely eyes.

Trevor directed a piteous look at Lady Rea, and without a moment's
hesitation she exclaimed--

"It's all stuff and nonsense, Hampy! I won't stand by and see either of
my darlings made miserable!"

"Frances!" exclaimed Aunt Matty.

"Er-rum!" exclaimed Sir Hampton, and he sent at his wife a withering
look.

"You can say what you like," cried the little lady, ruffling up like a
very bantam hen in defence of her chicks; and now, for the first time,
Trevor saw a trace of Fin. "I say I won't stand by and see my darlings
made miserable. Tiny told me not ten minutes ago, crying up in her own
room as if her heart would break, that she would sooner die than listen
to Captain Vandells."

"Vanleigh," said Aunt Matilda, contemptuously.