onvinced
himself of this fact,--for there was a daring spirit about Clifford
which few wished to draw upon themselves,--that personage broke the
pause by observing that no man who pretended to be a gentleman
would intrude himself, unasked and unwelcome, into any society; and
Mauleverer, catching up the observation, said (drinking wine at the same
time with Mr. Shrewd) that undoubtedly such conduct fully justified the
rumours respecting Mr. Clifford, and utterly excluded him from that rank
to which it was before more than suspected he had no claim.

So luminous and satisfactory an opinion from such an authority, once
broached, was immediately and universally echoed; and long before the
repast was over, it seemed to be tacitly agreed that Captain Clifford
should be sent to Coventry, and if he murmured at the exile, he would
have no right to insist upon being sent thence to the devil.

The good old squire, mindful of his former friendship for Clifford, and
not apt to veer, was about to begin a speech on the occasion, when Lucy,
touching his arm, implored him to be silent; and so ghastly was the
paleness of her cheek while she spoke, that the squire's eyes, obtuse
as he generally was, opened at once to the real secret of her heart. As
soon as the truth flashed upon him, he wondered, recalling Clifford's
great personal beauty and marked attentions, that it had not flashed
upon him sooner; and leaning back on his chair, he sank into one of the
most unpleasant reveries he had ever conceived.

At a given signal the music for the dancers recommenced, and at a hint
to that effect from the host, persons rose without ceremony to repair to
other amusements, and suffer such guests as had hitherto been excluded
from eating to occupy the place of the relinquishers. Lucy, glad to
escape, was one of the first to resign her situation, and with the
squire she returned to the grounds. During the banquet, evening had
closed in, and the scene now really became fairy-like and picturesque;
lamps hung from many a tree, reflecting the light through the richest
and softest hues; the music itself sounded more musically than during
the day; gipsy-tents were pitched at wild corners and copses, and the
bright wood-fires burning in them blazed merrily upon the cold yet
cheerful air of the increasing night. The view was really novel and
inviting; and as it had been an understood matter that ladies were to
bring furs, cloaks, and boots, all those who t