ears old, could never have offended your Majesty. Do not, therefore,
involve him in my shame. Commute the sentence to knighthood, and my
dishonor will die with me.'"

"I never heard of greater insolence," said Tony.

"It saved us, though; but for this, I should have been Sir Skeffington
to-day. Is that the house I see yonder?"

"That's a wing of it."

"'Home of my fathers, how my bosom throbs!' What's the next line?
'Home of my fathers, through my heart there runs!' That's it,--'there
runs'--runs. I forget how it goes, but I suppose it must rhyme to
'duns.'"

"Now, try and be reasonable for a couple of minutes," said Tony. "I
scarcely am known to Mrs. Maxwell at all. I don't mean to stop here; I
intend to go back to-night What are your movements?"

"Let the Fates decide; that is to say, I'll toss up,--heads, and I am to
have the estate, and therefore remain; tails,--I'm disinherited, and go
back with you."

"I want you to be serious, Skeffy."

"Very kind of you, when I've only got fourteen days' leave, and three of
them gone already."

"I 'd rather you 'd return with me; but I 'd not like you to risk your
future to please me."

"Has jealousy no share in this? Be frank and open: 'Crede Darner' is
our proud motto; and by Jove, if certain tailors and bootmakers did not
accept it, it would be an evil day for your humble servant!"

"I don't understand you," said Tony, gravely.

"You fear I 'll make love to 'your widow,' Tony. Don't get so red, old
fellow, nor look as if you wanted to throw me into the fish-pond."

"I had half a mind to do it," muttered Tony, in something between jest
and earnest.

"I knew it,--I saw it. You looked what the Yankees call mean-ugly;
and positively I was afraid of you. But just reflect on the indelible
disgrace it would be to you if I was drowned."

"You can swim, I suppose?"

"Not a stroke; it's about the only thing I cannot do."

"Why, you told me yesterday that you never shoot, you could n't ride,
never handled a fishing-rod."

"Nor hemmed a pocket-handkerchief," broke in Skeffy. "I own not to
have any small accomplishments. What a noble building! I declare I am
attached to it already. No, Tony; I pledge you my word of honor, no
matter how pressed I may be, I'll not cut down a tree here."

"You may go round to the stable-yard," said Tony to the driver,--"they
'll feed you and your horse here."

"Of course they will," cried Skeffy; and then, grasping Tony's two
hands