t
is but a letter now and then; and that's your wife's trouble, not yours.
But, Spencer--what Spencer!--what family? Was there not a Mr. Spencer
who lived at Winandermere--who----"

"Who went with us in search of these boys, to be sure. Very likely the
same--nay, he must be so. I thought so at the first."

"Go down to the Lakes to-morrow. You may hear something about your
nephews;" at that word Mr. Beaufort winced.

"'Tis well to be forearmed."

"Many thanks for all your counsel," said Beaufort, rising, and glad to
escape; for though both he and his wife held the advice of Lord Lilburne
in the highest reverence, they always smarted beneath the quiet and
careless stings which accompanied the honey. Lord Lilburne was singular
in this,--he would give to any one who asked it, but especially a
relation, the best advice in his power; and none gave better, that is,
more worldly advice. Thus, without the least benevolence, he was often
of the greatest service; but he could not help mixing up the draught
with as much aloes and bitter-apple as possible. His intellect delighted
in exhibiting itself even gratuitously. His heart equally delighted
in that only cruelty which polished life leaves to its tyrants towards
their equals,--thrusting pins into the feelings and breaking self-love
upon the wheel. But just as Mr. Beaufort had drawn on his gloves and
gained the doorway, a thought seemed to strike Lord Lilburne:

"By the by," he said, "you understand that when I promised I would try
and settle the matter for you, I only meant that I would learn the exact
causes you have for alarm on the one hand, or for a compromise with
this fellow on the other. If the last be advisable you are aware that I
cannot interfere. I might get into a scrape; and Beaufort Court is not
my property."

"I don't quite understand you."

"I am plain enough, too. If there is money to be given it is given in
order to defeat what is called justice--to keep these nephews of yours
out of their inheritance. Now, should this ever come to light, it would
have an ugly appearance. They who risk the blame must be the persons who
possess the estate."

"If you think it dishonourable or dishonest--" said Beaufort,
irresolutely.

"I! I never can advise as to the feelings; I can only advise as to the
policy. If you don't think there ever was a marriage, it may, still, be
honest in you to prevent the bore of a lawsuit."

"But if he can prove to me that they were m