en, with a countenance wherein rebuke
and entreaty were blended, she stopped.

"I am aware, sir, what _eclat_ young gentlemen nowadays derive from the
supposed preference of individuals of exalted rank; and I hope that your
vanity may be most in fault here."

"My Lord, one word,--only one," said Cashel, eagerly; "I am sadly
afflicted with the infirmity of hot temper, which never gives way more
surely, nor more suddenly, than when accused wrongfully. Such is your
Lordship doing at present. I would entreat you not to say what a very
little calm reflection will call upon you to retract."

"This concerns me, sir, most of all," said Lady Kilgoff, rising,
and drawing herself proudly up. "These unworthy suspicions had never
occurred to you had they not been prompted; but you might have believed
that when I sacrificed all I have done for that rank of which so
incessantly you remind me, that I would not rashly hazard the position
for which I paid so dearly. Let us leave this now, my Lord; Mr. Cashel
can scarcely desire a presence that has so ungratefully rewarded his
hospitality, and I, at least, shall be spared the mortification of
meeting one who has been a witness to such an outrage."

"This is not to end here, sir," said Lord Kilgoff, in a whisper to
Cashel, who, more intent upon the words Lady Kilgoff had just uttered,
carelessly answered,--

"As you will."

"Good-bye, Mr. Cashel," said she, holding out her hand; "I wish I was
leaving a better _souvenir_ behind me than the memory of this last
scene."

"I will never remember it, madam," said Cashel; "but I would beg
that you may not let an incident so trivial, so perfectly devoid of
everything like importance, hasten your going. Nothing save malevolence
and calumny could suggest any other impression, and I would beseech
you not to favor, by such a step as a hasty departure, the malice that
scandal-lovers may circulate."

"This is matter for _my_ consideration, sir," said Lord Kilgoflf,
haughtily; while, drawing Lady Kilgoffs arm within his own, he made a
vigorous attempt to move away with dignity.

CHAPTER XX. LORD KILGOFF DETERMINES TO "MEET" ROLAND

Is he not too old for such gambols?

--Sir Raymond.

Cashel was in no mood to join his company after such a scene, and
hastening upstairs, he entered his dressing-room. What was his surprise
to see that Linton was seated in an easy-chair, before the fire,
enjoying a cigar and a new novel, with al