t tables was now in a state of
revolution, viz., a lady had cut out and a gentleman cut in, when the
door opened, and Lord Lilburne was announced.

Mr. Macgregor, rising, advanced with great respect to this personage.

"I scarcely ventured to hope you would coom, Lord Lilburne, the night is
so cold."

"You did not allow sufficiently, then, for the dulness of my solitary
inn and the attractions of your circle. Aha! whist, I see."

"You play sometimes?"

"Very seldom, now; I have sown all my wild oats, and even the ace of
spades can scarcely dig them out again."

"Ha! ha! vara gude."

"I will look on;" and Lord Lilburne drew his chair to the table, exactly
opposite to Mr. Gawtrey.

The old gentleman turned to Philip.

"An extraordinary man, Lord Lilburne; you have heard of him, of course?"

"No, indeed; what of him?" asked the young man, rousing himself.

"What of him?" said the old gentleman, with a smile; "why the
newspapers, if you ever read them, will tell you enough of the elegant,
the witty Lord Lilburne; a man of eminent talent, though indolent. He
was wild in his youth, as clever men often are; but, on attaining his
title and fortune, and marrying into the family of the then premier, he
became more sedate. They say he might make a great figure in politics if
he would. He has a very high reputation--very. People do say that he
is still fond of pleasure; but that is a common failing amongst the
aristocracy. Morality is only found in the middle classes, young
gentleman. It is a lucky family, that of Lilburne; his sister, Mrs.
Beaufort--"

"Beaufort!" exclaimed Morton, and then muttered to himself, "Ah,
true--true; I have heard the name of Lilburne before."

"Do you know the Beauforts? Well, you remember how luckily Robert,
Lilburne's brother-in-law, came into that fine property just as his
predecessor was about to marry a--"

Morton scowled at his garrulous acquaintance, and stalked abruptly to
the card table.

Ever since Lord Lilburne had seated himself opposite to Mr. Gawtrey,
that gentleman had evinced a perturbation of manner that became obvious
to the company. He grew deadly pale, his hands trembled, he moved
uneasily in his seat, he missed deal, he trumped his partner's best
diamond; finally he revoked, threw down his money, and said, with a
forced smile, "that the heat of the room overcame him." As he rose Lord
Lilburne rose also, and the eyes of both met. Those of Lilburne were
calm, but p