se of his situation, the sight of the usurper in his home, often
swept away the gentler thoughts inspired by his fatal passion. And the
tone of Lord Lilburne, and his loathing to the man, were too much for
his temper.

"Lord Lilburne," he said, and his lip curled, "if you had been born
poor, you would have made a great fortune--you play luckily."

"How am I to take this, sir?"

"As you please," answered Vaudemont, calmly, but with an eye of fire.
And he turned away.

Lilburne remained on the spot very thoughtful: "Hum! he suspects me.
I cannot quarrel on such ground--the suspicion itself dishonours me--I
must seek another."

The next day, Lilburne, who was familiar with Mr. Harsden (though the
latter gentleman never played at the same table), asked that prudent
person after breakfast if he happened to have his pistols with him.

"Yes; I always take them into the country--one may as well practise when
one has the opportunity. Besides, sportsmen are often quarrelsome; and
if it is known that one shoots well,--it keeps one out of quarrels!"

"Very true," said Lilburne, rather admiringly. "I have made the same
remark myself when I was younger. I have not shot with a pistol for
since years. I am well enough now to walk out with the help of a stick.
Suppose we practise for half-an-hour or so."

"With all my heart," said Mr. Marsden.

The pistols were brought, and they strolled forth;--Lord Lilburne found
his hand out.

"As I never hunt now," said the peer, and he gnashed his teeth, and
glanced at his maimed limb; "for though lameness would not prevent my
keeping my seat, violent exercise hurts my leg; and Brodie says any
fresh accident might bring on tic douloureux;--and as my gout does
not permit me to join the shooting parties at present, it would be a
kindness in you to lend me your pistols--it would while away an hour or
so; though, thank Heaven, my duelling days are over!"

"Certainly," said Mr. Marsden; and the pistols were consigned to Lord
Lilburne.

Four days from the date, as Mr. Marsden, Vaudemont, and some other
gentlemen were making for the covers, they came upon Lord Lilburne,
who, in a part of the park not within sight or sound of the house, was
amusing himself with Mr. Marsden's pistols, which Dykeman was at hand to
load for him.

He turned round, not at all disconcerted by the interruption.

"You have no idea how I've improved, Marsden:--just see!" and he pointed
to a glove nailed to a tree.