Elvina's?--What an odd name!"

"Oh, I can tell you. Mrs Fitzpatrick says that he is of a very ancient
Irish family--they are very rich. Mr McElvina made his fortune in
India, by a speculation in opium, and his wife was the only daughter of
a stock-broker in the city, who died worth a plum."

"Number 4--a little warm, if you please, Mrs Bishop."

"Yes, Miss."

About a fortnight after his arrival, Rainscourt received the
intelligence from his agent that everything was complete at the castle,
and he determined to go over himself to examine it previous to
communicating his interested act of gallantry to his wife. He proposed
to McElvina, with whom he was on very friendly terms, to accompany him,
and McElvina was decided in accepting the offer, in consequence of Mr
Rainscourt's having informed him that a large property, contiguous to
his own, which had almost from time immemorial been in possession of the
McElvina family, was now for sale, the last possessor having gambled the
whole of it away.

"It may be worth your while," continued he, "if you are inclined to
possess landed property, to look at it; as my agent informs me that it
will be disposed of very cheap, and will give you good interest for your
money."

McElvina had long wished to live in Ireland, from which country he
derived his descent, and he could not but feel that some untoward
recognition might possibly take place in such a place of numerous resort
as Cheltenham, by which some of the passages in his early career might
be exposed. This appeared to be a chance which might not again present
itself: and he gladly consented to accompany Rainscourt in his
excursion. After an absence of three weeks they returned. The castle
had been fitted out in a style of lavish expenditure and taste, and
Rainscourt could find little to improve or add. The property which
McElvina went over to examine, suited him both in price and in
situation; and having consulted his wife, who cordially acquiesced in
his view, he wrote to Mr Rainscourt's agent, requesting him to conclude
the purchase.

Rainscourt now determined upon making his last effort for a resumption
of marital rights. Having introduced the conversation by stating in
minute detail the alterations and improvements which he had made at the
castle, he then informed Mrs Rainscourt that he had been to that
expense in the hope that she would take possession of it for the
remainder of the autumn.

"If:" said he,