e was a row, I was told."

"Did you feel that the family were disgraced?"

"Not in the least. He had to pay five shillings,--hadn't he,--for
telling a policeman to go about his business?"

"He was--locked up," said Gertrude, solemnly.

"It's just the same. Nobody thinks anything about that kind of thing.
Now, what is it I have got to do? We had better turn back again as
soon as we can, because I must go up to the house before I go."

"You will?"

"Certainly. I will not leave it to your father to say that I came
skulking about the place, and was ashamed to show my face. That would
not be the way to make him give you your money."

"I am sure he'd give it,--if we were once married."

"If we were married without having it assured before hand we should
look very blue if things went wrong afterwards."

"I asked you whether you had courage."

"Courage enough, I think, when my body is concerned; but I am an
awful coward in regard to money. I wouldn't mind hashed mutton and
baked potatoes for myself, but I shouldn't like to see you eating
them, dearest, after all the luxuries to which you have been
accustomed."

"I should think nothing of it."

"Did you ever try? I never came absolutely to hashed mutton, but I've
known how very uncomfortable it is not to be able to pay for the hot
joints. I'm willing to own honestly that married life without an
income would not have attractions for me."

"But if it was sure to come?"

"Ah, then indeed,--with you! I have just said how nice it would be."

"Have you ever been at Ostend?" she asked, suddenly.

"Ostend. Oh, yes. There was a man there who used to cheat horribly at
ecarte. He did me out of nearly a hundred pounds one night."

"But there's a clergyman there, I'm told."

"I don't think this man was in orders. But he might have been.
Parsons come out in so many shapes! This man called himself a count.
It was seven years ago."

"I am speaking of to-day."

"I've not been there since."

"Would you like to go there,--with me?"

"It isn't a nice sort of place, I should say, for a honeymoon. But
you shall choose. When we are married you shall go where you like."

"To be married!" she exclaimed.

"Married at Ostend! Would your mother like that?"

"Mother! Oh, dear!"

"I'll be shot if I know what you're after, Gertrude. If you've got
anything to say you'd better speak out. I want to go up to the house
now."

They had now taken one or two turns between the lodge