ility of a Velasquez, the sublime dignity of a Vandyck, or the
glorious intellectuality of a Titian portrait, a man must be a born
gentleman, in its most exalted signification. What a perfect taste your
collection at Kilgoff displays! All Spanish or Venetian, if I mistake
not."

"Are we not like to disturb a _tete-a-tete_, Linton?" said Lord Kilgoff,
nudging his friend's arm, and laughing slyly, as he pointed through the
large frame of plate-glass that formed a door to the boudoir.

"By Jove!" said Linton, in a low whisper, "and so we were; you are
always thoughtful, my Lord!"

"You know the adage, Linton, 'An old poacher makes the best gamekeeper!'
Ha, ha, ha!"

"Ah, my Lord! I have heard as much of you. But who can they be?"

"We shall soon see, for it is always better in these cases to incur the
rudeness of interruption than the meanness of espionage;" and so saying,
Lord Kilgoff opened the door and entered. Although in so doing the noise
he made might easily have attracted notice, the chess-players, either
deep in their preoccupation, or habituated to the uproar of the
drawing-room, paid no attention, so that it was only as he exclaimed
"Lady Kilgoff!" that both started, and beheld him, as, pale with
passion, he stood supporting himself on the back of a chair.

"Pray don't stir, sir; be seated, I beg," said he, addressing Cashel,
in a voice that shook with anger; "my interruption of your game was pure
accident."

"No apologies, my Lord; we are both but indifferent players," said
Cashel, smiling, but yet very far from at ease.

"Your seclusion at least bespeaks the interest you feel in the game. Mr.
Linton and I can vouch--" (Here his Lordship turned to call his witness;
but he had left the court, or, more properly speaking, had never entered
it.)

"Linton here?" said Lady Kilgoff, in a voice which, though scarce a
whisper, was actually thrilling in the intensity of its meaning.

[Illustration: 208]

"I hope, sir, when you have lived somewhat more in the world, you will
learn that the first duty of a host is not to compromise a guest."

"I am most willing to be taught by your Lordship's better knowledge; but
if I am to benefit by the lesson in the present case, it must be more
clearly expressed," said Cashel, calmly.

"As for you, madam," said Lord Kilgoff, "I cannot compliment you on the
progress you have made in acquiring the habits and instincts of 'your
order.'"

"My Lord!" exclaimed she; and th