ydstone," she said, but there was the
slightest sneer concealed beneath her simple words.

"I have not been what I ought, but now that I am the only one left I
feel that I must defer to my dear parents' wishes in every respect."
He said this with marked emphasis.

"They have views for you, I presume?" Mrs. Wilders asked, catching
quickly at his meaning.

"My mother has always wanted me to settle down in life, and my father
has urged me--"

"To marry. I understand. It is time, they think, for you to have sown
your wild oats?"

"Precisely. I have liked my freedom, I confess. Now there are the
strongest reasons why I should marry."

"To secure the succession, I suppose."

"We have surely a right to look to that!" said Lord Lydstone, rather
haughtily.

"Oh! of course. Everyone is bound to look after his own. And the
young lady--has she been found?"

Lord Lydstone coloured at this point-blank question.

"I have been long paying my addresses to Lady Grizel Banquo," he said.

"Oh! she is your choice? I have often seen her and you together."

"We have been friends almost from childhood; and it seems quite
natural--"

"That you should tie yourself for life to a red-headed, raw-boned
Scotch girl."

"To an English lady of my own rank in life," interrupted Lord
Lydstone, sternly, "who will make me an honest, faithful helpmate, as
I have every reason to hope and believe."

"You are just cut out for domestic felicity, Lord Lydstone. I can see
you a staid, sober English peer, a pattern of respectability, the stay
and support of your country, obeyed with reverent devotion by a fond
wife, bringing up a large family--"

"As young people should be brought up, I hope--the girls as modest,
God-fearing maidens; the boys to behave like gentlemen, and to tell
the truth."

"A very admirable system of education, I'm sure. By-and-bye we shall
see how nearly you have achieved your aim."

She was disappointed and bitterly angry, feeling that he had rebuffed
and flouted her.

"We part as friends, I hope?" said Lord Lydstone, rising to go.

"Oh, certainly! why not?" she answered carelessly.

"I trust you will continue to get good news from Cousin Bill."

"And I that you will have a speedy voyage home. It would be provoking
to be delayed when bound on such a mission."

Then they parted, never to meet again.

CHAPTER XV.

THE LAST OF LORD LYDSTONE.

The mixed population of Constantinople in these busy, stirri