f Chew it was, another Albanian. No
one here will be surprised if I deny him my door; he will not be
suffered to address my children, nor even to salute my wife: as for
myself, I make so much exception for a brother that he may speak to me.
I should lose my pleasure else," says my lord, rubbing his palms.

Presently he bethought himself, and set men off running, with billets,
to summon the magnates of the province. I cannot recall what pretext he
employed; at least, it was successful; and when our ancient enemy
appeared upon the scene, he found my lord pacing in front of his house
under some trees of shade, with the Governor upon one hand and various
notables upon the other. My lady, who was seated in the verandah, rose
with a very pinched expression and carried her children into the house.

The Master, well dressed, and with an elegant walking-sword, bowed to
the company in a handsome manner and nodded to my lord with familiarity.
My lord did not accept the salutation, but looked upon his brother with
bended brows.

"Well, sir," says he at last, "what ill wind brings you hither of all
places, where (to our common disgrace) your reputation has preceded
you?"

"Your lordship is pleased to be civil," cries the Master, with a fine
start.

"I am pleased to be very plain," returned my lord; "because it is
needful you should clearly understand your situation. At home; where you
were so little known, it was still possible to keep appearances; that
would be quite vain in this province; and I have to tell you that I am
quite resolved to wash my hands of you. You have already ruined me
almost to the door, as you ruined my father before me;--whose heart you
also broke. Your crimes escape the law; but my friend the Governor has
promised protection to my family. Have a care, sir!" cries my lord,
shaking his cane at him: "if you are observed to utter two words to any
of my innocent household, the law shall be stretched to make you smart
for it."

"Ah!" says the Master, very slowly. "And so this is the advantage of a
foreign land! These gentlemen are unacquainted with our story, I
perceive. They do not know that I am the true Lord Durrisdeer; they do
not know you are my younger brother, sitting in my place under a sworn
family compact; they do not know (or they would not be seen with you in
familiar correspondence) that every acre is mine before God
Almighty--and every doit of the money you withhold from me, you do it as
a thi