n't think I'm well enough myself. Here
is Captain De Baron, a young man as strong as a horse, and very fond of
women. He'll sit it out."

"I beg your pardon; what is it?" Then the Baroness, with rapid words,
told her own sad story. She had been deluded, defrauded, and ruined by
those wicked females, Lady Selina Protest and Dr. Fleabody. The Marquis
was a nobleman whom all England, nay, all Europe, delighted to honour.
Could not the Marquis do something for her? She was rapid and eloquent,
but not always intelligible. "What is it she wants?" asked the Marquis,
turning to Jack.

"Pecuniary assistance, I think, my Lord."

"Yah, yah. I have been bamboozled of everything, my Lord Marquis."

"Oh, my G--, De Baron shouldn't have let me in for this. Would you mind
telling my fellow to give her a ten-pound note?" Jack said that he
would not mind; and the Baroness stuck to him pertinaciously, not
leaving his side a moment till she had got the money. Of course there
was no lecture. The Baroness was made to understand that visitors at a
country house in England could not be made to endure such an
infliction; but she succeeded in levying a contribution from Mrs.
Montacute Jones, and there were rumours afloat that she got a sovereign
out of Mr. Houghton.

Lord Giblet had come with the intention of staying a week, but, the day
after the attack made upon him by Mrs. Montacute Jones, news arrived
which made it absolutely necessary that he should go to Castle Gossling
at once. "We shall be so sorry to miss you," said Mrs. Montacute Jones,
whom he tried to avoid in making his general adieux, but who was a
great deal too clever not to catch him.

"My father wants to see me about the property, you know."

"Of course. There must be a great deal to do between you." Everybody
who knew the affairs of the family was aware that the old Earl never
thought of consulting his son; and Mrs. Montacute Jones knew
everything.

"Ever so much; therefore I must be off at once. My fellow is packing my
things now; and there is a train in an hour's time."

"Did you hear from Olivia this morning?"

"Not to-day."

"I hope you are as proud as you ought to be of having such a sweet girl
belonging to you." Nasty old woman! What right had she to say these
things? "I told Mrs. Green that you were here, and that you were coming
to meet Olivia on the 27th."

"What did she say?"

"She thinks you ought to see Mr. Green as you go through London. He is
th