disappointment; and with that quickness which so
erratically darted through a mind that contrived to be dull when
anything honest was addressed to its apprehension, he instantly divined
that his real name of Losely was worth something. He had no idea of
reusing--was, indeed, at that time anxious altogether to ignore and
eschew it; but he had a right to it, and a man's rights are not to be
resigned for nothing. Accordingly, he said with some asperity: "I shall
resume my family name whenever I choose it. If Mr. Darrell does not
like his daughter to be called Mrs. Jasper Losely--or all the malignant
tittle-tattle which my poor father's unfortunate trial might provoke--he
must, at least, ask me as a favour to retain the name I have temporarily
adopted--a name in my family, sir. A Losely married a Hammond, I forget
when--generations ago--you'll see it in the Baronetage. My grandfather,
Sir Julian, was not a crack lawyer, but he was a baronet of as good
birth as any in the country; and my father, sir"--(Jasper's voice
trembled) "my father," he repeated, fiercely striking his clenched hand
on the table, "was a gentleman every inch of his body; and I'll pitch
any man out of the window who says a word to the contrary!"

"Sir," said Mr. Gotobed, shrinking towards the bell pull, "I think, on
the whole, I had better see your solicitor."

Jasper cooled down at that suggestion; and, with a slight apology for
natural excitement, begged to know what Mr. Gotobed wished to propose.
To make an end of this part of the story, after two or three interviews,
in which the two negotiators learned to understand each other, a
settlement was legally completed, by which the sum of L10,000 was
inalienably settled on Matilda, and her children by her marriage with
Jasper; in case he survived her, the interest was to be his for life--in
case she died childless, the capital would devolve to himself at
Darrell's decease. Meanwhile, Darrell agreed to pay L500 a year, as the
interest of the L10,000 at five per cent., to Jasper Hammond, or his
order, provided always that Jasper and his wife continued to reside
together, and fixed that residence abroad.

By a private verbal arrangement, not even committed to writing, to
this sum was added another L200 a year, wholly at Darrell's option and
discretion. It being clearly comprehended that these words meant so long
as Mr. Hammond kept his own secret, and so long, too, as he forbore,
directly or indirectly, to