ppish. To me, on the contrary, when Milly went into the hall, he
was mild and whimpering, and disposed to be confidential.

'There's the Governor says he hasn't a bob! Danged if I know how an old
fellah in his bed-room muddles away money at that rate. I don't suppose he
thinks I can git along without tin, and he knows them trustees won't gi'e
me a tizzy till they get what they calls an opinion--dang 'em! Bryerly says
he doubts it must all go under settlement. They'll settle me nicely if
they do; and Governor knows all about it, and won't gi'e me a danged brass
farthin', an' me wi' bills to pay, an' lawyers--dang 'em--writing
letters. He knows summat o' that hisself, does Governor; and he might ha'
consideration a bit for his own flesh and blood, _I_ say. But he never does
nout for none but hisself. I'll sell his books and his jewels next fit he
takes--that's how I'll fit him.'

This amiable young man, glowering, with his elbows on the table and his
fingers in his great whiskers, followed his homily, where clergymen append
the blessing, with a muttered variety of very different matter.

'Now, Maud,' said he, pathetically, leaning back suddenly in his chair,
with all his conscious beauty and misfortunes in his face, 'is not it hard
lines?'

I thought the appeal was going to shape itself into an application for
money; but it did not.

'I never know'd a reel beauty--first-chop, of course, I mean--that
wasn't kind along of it, and I'm a fellah as can't git along without
sympathy--that's why I say it--an' isn't it hard lines? Now, _say_ it's
hard lines--_haint_ it, Maud?'

I did not know exactly what hard lines meant, but I said--

'I suppose it is very disagreeable.'

And with this concession, not caring to hear any more in the same vein, I
rose, intending to take my departure.

'No, that's jest it. I knew ye'd say it, Maud. Ye're a kind lass--ye
be--'tis in yer pretty face. I like ye awful, I do--there's not a handsomer
lass in Liverpool nor Lunnon itself--_no_ where.'

He had seized my hand, and trying to place his arm about my waist, essayed
that salute which I had so narrowly escaped on my first introduction.

'_Don't_, sir,' I exclaimed in high indignation, escaping at the same
moment from his grasp.

'No offence, lass; no harm, Maud; you must not be so shy--we're cousins,
you know--an' I wouldn't hurt ye, Maud, no more nor I'd knock my head off.
I wouldn't.'

I did not wait to hear the rest of his tender