"Why, if she came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent,'' said he, "did she come at all?''

He could settle it in no way that gave his pleasure.

"She could be still amiable, still pleasing, to my aunt and uncle, when she was in town; and why not to me? If she fears me, why come hither? If she no longer cares for me, why silent? Teazing, teazing, woman! I will think no more about her.''

His resolution was for a short time involuntarily kept by the approach of his brother, who joined his with a cheerful look, which shewed hiM better satisfied with their visitors, than Spike.

"Now,'' said he, "that the first meeting is over, I feel perfectly easy. I know my own strength, and I shall never be embarrassed again by her coming. I am glad she dines here on Tuesday. It will then be publicly seen that, on both sides, we meet only as common and indifferent acquaintance.''

"Yes, very indifferent indeed,'' said Spike, laughingly. "Oh, Oz, take care. You're not friends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love till it kills you both. You'll fight, and you'll shag, and you'll hate each other till it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends. Love isn't brains, child, it's blood... blood screaming inside you to work its will.  ''

"My dear Spikey, you cannot think me so weak, as to be in danger now?''

"I think you are in very great danger of making her as much in love with you as ever.'' 

They did not see the ladies again till Tuesday; and Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, in the meanwhile, was giving way to all the happy schemes, which the good humour and common politeness of Rosenburg, in half an hour's visit, had revived.

On Tuesday there was a large party assembled at The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's; and the two who were most anxiously expected, to the credit of their punctuality as sportsmen, were in very good time. When they repaired to the dining room, Spike eagerly watched to see whether Rosenburg would take the place, which, in all their former parties, had belonged to her, by his brother. His prudent father, occupied by the same ideas, forbore to invite her to sit by himself. On entering the room, she seemed to hesitate; but Oz happened to look round, and happened to smile: it was decided. She placed herself by him.

Spike, with a triumphant sensation, looked towards her friend. She bore it with noble indifference, and he would have imagined that Rosenburg had received her sanction to be happy, had he not seen her eyes likewise turned towards Miss Buffy Summers, with an expression of half laughing alarm.

Her behaviour to his brother was such, during dinner time, as shewed an admiration of him, which, though more guarded than formerly, persuaded Spike, that if left wholly to herself, Oz's happiness, and her own, would be speedily secured. Though he dared not depend upon the consequence, he yet received pleasure from observing her behaviour. It gave his all the animation that his spirits could boast; for he was in no cheerful humour. Miss Buffy Summers was almost as far from his as the table could divide them. She was on one side of his father. He knew how little such a situation would give pleasure to either, or make either appear to advantage. He was not near enough to hear any of their discourse, but he could see how seldom they spoke to each other, and how formal and cold was their manner whenever they did. His father's ungraciousness, made the sense of what they owed her more painful to Spike's mind; and he would, at times, have given any thing to be privileged to tell her that her kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of the family.

He was in hopes that the evening would afford some opportunity of bringing them together; that the whole of the visit would not pass away without enabling them to enter into something more of conversation than the mere ceremonious salutation attending her entrance. Anxious and uneasy, the period which passed in the drawing room, before the ladies came, was wearisome and dull to a degree that almost made him uncivil. He looked forward to their entrance as the point on which all his chance of pleasure for the evening must depend.

"If she does not come to me, then,'' said he, "I shall give her up for ever.''

The ladies came; and he thought she looked as if she would have answered his hopes; but, alas! the gentlemen had crowded round the table, where Mr. le Bloddy was making tea, and Spike pouring out the coffee, in so close a confederacy that there was not a single vacancy near him which would admit of a chair. And on the gentlewomen's approaching, one of the boys moved closer to him than ever, and said, in a whisper,

"The women shan't come and part us, I am determined. We want none of them; do we?''

Summers had walked away to another part of the room. He followed her with his eyes, envied every one to whom she spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anybody to coffee; and then was enraged against himself for being so silly!

"A woman who has once been refused! How could I ever be foolish enough to expect a renewal of her love? Is there one among the sex, who would not protest against such a weakness as a second proposal to the same man? There is no indignity so abhorrent to their feelings!''

He was a little revived, however, by her bringing back her coffee cup himself; and he seized the opportunity of saying,

"Is your brother at The Bronze still?''

"Yes, he will remain there till Christmas.''

"And quite alone? Have all his friends left him?''

"Mr. D____ is with him. The others have been gone on to Scarborough, these three weeks.''

He could think of nothing more to say; but if she wished to converse with him, she might have better success. She stood by him, however, for some minutes, in silence; and, at last, on the young gentleman's whispering to Spike again, she walked away.

When the tea things were removed, and the card tables placed, the gentlemen all rose, and Spike was then hoping to be soon joined by her, when all his views were overthrown by seeing her fall a victim to his father's rapacity for whist players, and in a few moments after seated with the rest of the party. He now lost every expectation of pleasure. They were confined for the evening at different tables, and he had nothing to hope, but that her eyes were so often turned towards his side of the room, as to make her play as unsuccessfully as himself.

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy had designed to keep the two the burnt husk of Sunnydale High ladies to supper; but their carriage was unluckily ordered before any of the others, and he had no opportunity of detaining them.

"Well boys, '' said he, as soon as they were left to themselves, "What say you to the day? I think every thing has passed off uncommonly well, I assure you. The dinner was as well dressed as any I ever saw. The venison was roasted to a turn -- and everybody said they never saw so fat a haunch. The soup was fifty times better than what we had at the Walshes' last week; and even Miss Buffy Summers acknowledged, that the partridges were remarkably well done; and I suppose she has two or three French cooks at least. And, my dear Oz, I never saw you look in greater handsomeness. Mr. Long said so too, for I asked his whether you did not. And what do you think he said besides? "Ah! Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, we shall have his at the burnt husk of Sunnydale High at last." He did indeed. I do think Mr. Long is as good a creature as ever lived -- and his nephews are very handsome behaved boys, and not at all handsome: I like them prodigiously.''

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, in short, was in very great spirits; he had seen enough of Rosenburg's behaviour to Oz, to be convinced that he would get her at last; and his expectations of advantage to his family, when in a happy humour, were so far beyond reason, that he was quite disappointed at not seeing her there again the next day, to make her proposals.

"It has been a very agreeable day,'' said Mr. le Bloddy to Spike. "The party seemed so well selected, so suitable one with the other. I hope we may often meet again.''

Spike smiled.

"Spikey. You must not suspect me. I am satisfied, that she never had any designs. She is just sweeter, than any other woman.''

"You are very cruel,'' said his brother, "you will not let me smile, and are provoking me to it every moment.''

"How hard it is in some cases to be believed!''

"And how impossible in others!''

"But why should you wish to persuade me that I feel more than I acknowledge?''

"Next time you call,'' said he, "I hope we shall be more lucky.''

She should be particularly happy at any time, &c. &c.; and if he would give her leave, would take an early opportunity of waiting on them.

"Can you come to-morrow?''

Yes, she had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and his invitation was accepted with alacrity.

She came, and in such very good time that the gentlemen were none of them dressed. In ran Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy to his son's room, in his dressing gown, and with his hair half finished, crying out,

"My dear Oz, make haste and hurry down. She is come -- Willow is come. -- She is, indeed. Make haste, make haste. Here, you, minion, come to Mr. le Bloddy the moment, and help him on with his gown. Never mind Spikey's hair.''

"We will be down as soon as we can,'' said Oz; "but I dare say Doyle is forwarder than either of us, for he went up stairs half an hour ago.''

"Oh! hang Doyle! what has he to do with it? Come be quick, be quick! Where is your sash, my dear?''

But when his father was gone, Oz would not be prevailed on to go down without one of his brothers.

The same anxiety to get them by themselves was visible again in the evening. After tea, Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy retired to the library, as was her custom, and Anointed One went up stairs to his instrument. Two obstacles of the five being thus removed, Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy sat looking and winking at Spike and Doyle for a considerable time, without making any impression on them. Spike would not observe her; and when at last Doyle did, he very innocently said, "What is the matter mamma? What do you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?''

"Nothing child, nothing. I did not wink at you.'' He then sat still five minutes longer; but unable to waste such a precious occasion, he suddenly got up, and saying to Doyle, "Come here, my love, I want to speak to you,'' took his out of the room. Oz instantly gave a look at Spike which spoke his distress at such premeditation, and his entreaty that he would not give in to it. In a few minutes, Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy half opened the door and called out,

"Spikey, my dear, I want to speak with you.''

Spike was forced to go.

"We may as well leave them by themselves you know;'' said his father, as soon as he was in the hall. "Doyle and I are going up stairs to sit in my dressing room.''

Spike made no attempt to reason with his father, but remained quietly in the hall, till he and Doyle were out of sight, then returned into the drawing room.

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy's schemes for the day were ineffectual. Rosenburg was every thing that was charming, except the professed lover of his son. Her ease and cheerfulness rendered her a most agreeable addition to their evening party; and she bore with the ill judged officiousness of the father, and heard all his silly remarks with a forbearance and command of countenance particularly grateful to the son.

She scarcely needed an invitation to stay supper; and before she went away, an engagement was formed, chiefly through her own and Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy's means, for her coming next morning to shoot with his wife.

After the day, Oz said no more of his indifference. Not a word passed between the brothers concerning Rosenburg; but Spike went to bed in the happy belief that all must speedily be concluded, unless Miss Buffy Summers returned within the stated time. Seriously, however, he felt tolerably persuaded that all the must have taken place with that gentlewoman's concurrence.

Rosenburg was punctual to her appointment; and she and Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy spent the morning together, as had been agreed on. The latter was much more agreeable than her companion expected. There was nothing of presumption or folly in Rosenburg that could provoke her ridicule, or disgust her into silence; and she was more communicative, and less eccentric, than the other had ever seen her. Rosenburg of course returned with her to dinner; and in the evening Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy's invention was again at work to get every body away from her and his son. Spike, who had a letter to write, went into the breakfast room for that purpose soon after tea; for as the others were all going to sit down to cards, he could not be wanted to counteract his father's schemes.

But on returning to the drawing room, when his letter was finished, he saw, to his infinite surprise, there was reason to fear that his father had been too ingenious for him. On opening the door, he perceived his brother and Rosenburg standing together over the hearth, as if engaged in earnest conversation; and had the led to no suspicion, the faces of both, as they hastily turned round and moved away from each other, would have told it all.  Their situation was awkward enough; but her's he thought was still worse. Not a syllable was uttered by either; and Spike was on the point of going away again, when Rosenburg, who as well as the other had sat down, suddenly rose, and whispering a few words to his brother, ran out of the room.

Oz could have no reserves from Spike, where confidence would give pleasure; and instantly embracing him, acknowledged, with the liveliest emotion, that he was the happiest creature in the world.

"'Tis too much!'' he added, "by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! why is not every body as happy?''

Spike's congratulations were given with a sincerity, a warmth, a delight, which words could but poorly express. Every sentence of kindness was a fresh source of happiness to Oz. But he would not allow himself to stay with his brother, or say half that remained to be said for the present.

"I must go instantly to my father;'' he cried. "I would not on any account trifle with his affectionate solicitude; or allow him to hear it from any one but myself. She is gone to my mother already. Oh! Spikey, to know that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all my dear family! how shall I bear so much happiness!''

He then hastened away to his father, who had purposely broken up the card party, and was sitting up stairs with Doyle.

Spike, who was left by himself, now smiled at the rapidity and ease with which an affair was finally settled, that had given them so many previous months of suspense and vexation.

"And this,'' said he, "is the end of all her friend's anxious circumspection! of all her brother's falsehood and contrivance! the happiest, wisest, most reasonable end!''

In a few minutes he was joined by Rosenburg, whose conference with his mother had been short and to the purpose.

"Where is your brother?'' said she hastily, as she opened the door.

"With my father up stairs. He will be down in a moment, I dare say.''

She then shut the door, and, coming up to him, claimed the good wishes and affection of a brother. Spike honestly and heartily expressed his delight in the prospect of their relationship. They shook hands with great cordiality; and then, till his brother came down, he had to listen to all she had to say of her own happiness, and of Oz's perfections; and in spite of her being a lover, Spike really believed all her expectations of felicity to be rationally founded, because they had for basis the excellent understanding, and super excellent disposition of Oz, and a general similarity of feeling and taste between his and herself.

It was an evening of no common delight to them all; the satisfaction of Mr. le Bloddy's mind gave a glow of such sweet animation to his face, as made his look handsomer than ever. Doyle simpered and smiled, and hoped his turn was coming soon. Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy could not give his consent or speak his approbation in terms warm enough to satisfy his feelings, though he talked to Rosenburg of nothing else for half an hour; and when Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy joined them at supper, her voice and manner plainly shewed how really happy she was.

Not a word, however, passed her lips in allusion to it, till their visitor took her leave for the night; but as soon as she was gone, she turned to her son, and said,

"Oz, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy man.''

Oz went to her instantly, kissed her, and thanked her for her goodness.

"You are a good boy;'' she replied, "and I have great pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income.''

"I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be unpardonable in me.''

"Exceed their income! My dear Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy,'' cried her husband, "what are you talking of? Why, she has four or five thousand a year, and very likely more.'' Then addressing his son, "Oh! my dear, dear Oz, I am so happy! I am sure I shan't get a wink of sleep all night. I knew how it would be. I always said it must be so, at last. I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing! I remember, as soon as ever I saw her, when she first came into Southern California last year, I thought how likely it was that you should come together. Oh! she is the handsomest young woman that ever was seen!''

Faith, Angelus, were all forgotten. Oz was beyond competition his favourite child. At that moment, he cared for no other. His younger brothers soon began to make interest with him for objects of happiness which he might in future be able to dispense.

Anointed One petitioned for the use of the library at the burnt husk of Sunnydale High; and Doyle begged very hard for a few sparring matches there every winter.

Rosenburg, from the time, was of course a daily visitor at The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's; coming frequently before breakfast, and always remaining till after supper; unless when some barbarous neighbour, who could not be enough detested, had given her an invitation to dinner which she thought herself obliged to accept.

Spike had now but little time for conversation with his brother; for while she was present, Oz had no attention to bestow on any one else; but he found himself considerably useful to both of them in those hours of separation that must sometimes occur. In the absence of Oz, she always attached herself to Spike, for the pleasure of talking of her; and when Rosenburg was gone, Oz constantly sought the same means of relief.

"She has made me so happy,'' said he, one evening, "by telling me that she was totally ignorant of my being in town last spring! I had not believed it possible.''

"I suspected as much,'' replied Spike. "But how did she account for it?''

"It must have been her brothers. They were certainly no friends to her acquaintance with me, which I cannot wonder at, since she might have chosen so much more advantageously in many respects. But when they see, as I trust they will, that their sister is happy with me, they will learn to be contented, and we shall be on good terms again; though we can never be what we once were to each other.''

"That is the most unforgiving speech,'' said Spike, "that I ever heard you utter. Good boy! It would vex me, indeed, to see you again the dupe of Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg's pretended regard.''

"Would you believe it, Spikey, that when she went to town last November, she really loved me, and nothing but a persuasion of my being indifferent would have prevented her coming down again!''

"She made a little mistake to be sure; but it is to the credit of her modesty.''

There naturally introduced a panegyric from Oz on her diffidence, and the little value she put on her own good qualities. Spike was pleased to find that she had not betrayed the interference of her friend; for, though Oz had the most generous and forgiving heart in the world, he knew it was a circumstance which must prejudice him against her.

"I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!'' cried Oz. "Oh! Spikey, why am I thus singled from my family, and blessed above them all! If I could but see you as happy! If there were but such another woman for you!''

"If you were to give me forty such women, I never could be so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your happiness. No, no, let me shift for myself; and, perhaps, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Ms. Anya Nka in time.''

The situation of affairs in the Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's family could not be long a secret. Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy was privileged to whisper it to Mr. Philips, and he ventured, without any permission, to do the same by all his neighbours in Sunnydale.

They were of course all intending to be surprised; but their astonishment was beyond their expectation; and on the part of Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy and Doyle, though he was perfectly unknown to them, even inferior to what Spike felt.

He entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious, made no other reply to Spike's salutation than a slight inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word. Spike had mentioned his name to his father on his lordship's entrance, though no request of introduction had been made.

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, all amazement, though flattered by having a guest of such high importance, received him with the utmost politeness. After sitting for a moment in silence, he said very stiffly to Spike,

"I hope you are well, Mr. le Bloddy. That gentleman, I suppose, is your father.''

Spike replied very concisely that he was.

"And that I suppose is one of your brothers.''

"Yes, sir,'' said Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, delighted to speak to a Lord Snyder. "He is my youngest boy but one. My youngest of all is lately married, and my eldest is somewhere about the grounds, walking with a young woman who, I believe, will soon become a part of the family.''

"You have a very small park here,'' returned Lord Snyder after a short silence.

"It is nothing in comparison of Hellmouth, my lord, I dare say; but I assure you it is much larger than Dame Walshes.''

"There must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening, in summer; the windows are full west.''

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy assured him that they never sat there after dinner, and then added,

"May I take the liberty of asking your lordship whether you left Mrs. and Mr. Anya Nka well.''

"Yes, very well. I saw them the night before last.''

Spike now expected that he would produce a letter for his from Adam, as it seemed the only probable motive for his calling. But no letter appeared, and he was completely puzzled.

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, with great civility, begged his lordship to take some refreshment; but Lord Snyder very resolutely, and not very politely, declined eating any thing; and then, rising up, said to Spike,

"Miss le Bloddy, there seemed to be a handsomeish kind of a little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you will favour me with your company.''

"Go, my dear,'' cried his father, "and shew his lordship about the different walks. I think he will be pleased with the hermitage.''

Spike obeyed, and running into his own room for his parasol against the sunlight, attended his noble guest down stairs. As they passed through the hall, Lord Snyder opened the doors into the dining parlour and drawing room, and pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be decent looking rooms, walked on.

His carriage remained at the door, and Spike saw that his waiting man was in it. They proceeded in silence along the gravel walk that led to the copse; Spike was determined to make no effort for conversation with a man who was now more than usually insolent and disagreeable.

"How could I ever think his like his niece?'' said he, as he looked in his face.

As soon as they entered the copse, Lord Snyder began in the following manner: --

"You can be at no loss, Mr. le Bloddy, to understand the reason of my journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come.''

Spike looked with unaffected astonishment.

"Indeed, you are mistaken, Sir. I have not been at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here.''

"Mr. le Bloddy,'' replied his lordship, in an angry tone, "you ought to know, that I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere you may choose to be, you shall not find me so. My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it. A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told that not only your brother was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you, that Mr. Spike le Bloddy, would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my niece, my own niece, Miss Buffy Summers. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, though I would not injure her so much as to suppose the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved on setting off for the place, that I might make my sentiments known to you.''

"If you believed it impossible to be true,'' said Spike, colouring with astonishment and disdain, "I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far. What could your lordship propose by it?''

"At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted.''

"Your coming to The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's, to see me and my family,'' said Spike coolly, "will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence.''

"If! Do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a report is spread abroad?''

"I never heard that it was.''

"And can you likewise declare, that there is no foundation for it?''

"I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your lordship.  You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.''

"There is not to be borne. Mr. le Bloddy, I insist on being satisfied. Has she, has my niece, made you an offer of marriage?''

"Your lordship has declared it to be impossible.''

"It ought to be so; it must be so, while she retains the use of her reason. But your arts and allurements may, in a moment of infatuation, have made her forget what she owes to herself and to all her family. You may have drawn her in.''

"If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it.''

"Miss le Bloddy, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation she has in the world, and am entitled to know all her dearest concerns.''

"But you are not entitled to know mine ; nor will such behaviour as This, ever induce me to be explicit.''

"Let me be rightly understood. The match, to which you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Miss Buffy Summers is engaged to my  son. Now what have you to say?''

"Only this ; that if she is so, you can have no reason to suppose she will make an offer to me.''

Lord Snyder hesitated for a moment, and then replied,

"The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favourite wish of her father, as well as of his. While in their cradles, we planned the union: and now, at the moment when the wishes of both brothers would be accomplished in their marriage, to be prevented by a young man of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family! Do you pay no regard to the wishes of her friends? To her tacit engagement with Mr. De Principal? Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say that from her earliest hours she was destined for her cousin?''

"Yes, and I had heard it before. But what is that to me? If there is no other objection to my marrying your niece, I shall certainly not be kept from it by knowing that her father and uncle wished her to marry Mr. De Principal. You both did as much as you could in planning the marriage. Its completion depended on others. If Miss Buffy Summers is neither by honour nor inclination confined to her cousin, why is not she to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?''

"Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it. Yes, Mr. le Bloddy, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by her family or friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and despised, by every one connected with her. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.''

"These are heavy misfortunes,'' replied Spike. "But the husband of Miss Buffy Summers must have such extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily attached to his situation, that he could, upon the whole, have no cause to repine.''

"Obstinate, headstrong boy! I am ashamed of you! Is the your gratitude for my attentions to you last spring? Is nothing due to me on that score? Let us sit down. You are to understand, Mr. le Bloddy, that I came here with the determined resolution of carrying my purpose; nor will I be dissuaded from it. I have not been used to submit to any person's whims. I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment.''

" That will make your lordship's situation at present more pitiable; but it will have no effect on me.''

"I will not be interrupted. Hear me in silence. My son and my niece are formed for each other. They are descended, on the maternal side, from the same noble line; and, on the father's, from respectable, honourable, and ancient -- though untitled -- families. Their fortune on both sides is splendid. They are destined for each other by the voice of every member of their respective houses; and what is to divide them? The upstart pretensions of a young man without family, connections, or fortune. Is the to be endured! But it must not, shall not be. If you were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit the sphere in which you have been brought up.''

"In marrying your niece, I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere. She is a lady; I am a gentlewoman's son; so far we are equal.''

"True. You are a gentlewoman's son. But who was your father? Who are your aunts and uncles? Do not imagine me ignorant of their condition.''

"Whatever my connections may be,'' said Spike, "if your niece does not object to them, they can be nothing to you.''

"Tell me once for all, are you engaged to her?''

Though Spike would not, for the mere purpose of obliging Lord Snyder, have answered the question, he could not but say, after a moment's deliberation,

"I am not.''

Lord Snyder seemed pleased.

"And will you promise me, never to enter into such an engagement?''

"I will make no promise of the kind.''

"Miss le Bloddy I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a more reasonable young man. But do not deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede. I shall not go away till you have given me the assurance I require.''

"And I certainly never shall give it. I am not to be intimidated into anything so wholly unreasonable. Your lordship wants Miss Buffy Summers to marry your son; but would my giving you the wished-for promise make their marriage at all more probable? Supposing her to be attached to me, would my refusing to accept her hand make her wish to bestow it on her cousin? Allow me to say, Lord Snyder, that the arguments with which you have supported the extraordinary application have been as frivolous as the application was ill-judged. You have widely mistaken my character, if you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these. How far your niece might approve of your interference in her affairs, I cannot tell; but you have certainly no right to concern yourself in mine. I must beg, therefore, to be importuned no farther on the subject.''

"Not so hasty, if you please. I have by no means done. To all the objections I have already urged, I have still another to add. I am no stranger to the particulars of your youngest brother's infamous elopement. I know it all; that the young man's marrying his was a patched-up business, at the expense of your mother and uncles. And is such a boy to be my niece's brother? Is him wife, is the son of her late mother's steward, to be her sister? Heaven and earth! -- of what are you thinking? Are the shades of The Bronze to be thus polluted?''

"You can now have nothing farther to say,'' he resentfully answered. "You have insulted me in every possible method. I must beg to return to the house.''

And he rose as he spoke. Lord Snyder rose also, and they turned back. His lordship was highly incensed.

"You have no regard, then, for the honour and credit of my niece! Unfeeling, selfish boy! Do you not consider that a connection with you must disgrace her in the eyes of everybody?''

"Lord Snyder, I have nothing farther to say. You know my sentiments.''

"You are then resolved to have him?''

"I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.''

"It is well. You refuse, then, to oblige me. You refuse to obey the claims of duty, honour, and gratitude. You are determined to ruin her in the opinion of all her friends, and make her the contempt of the world.''

"Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude,'' replied Spike, "have any possible claim on me, in the present instance. No principle of either would be violated by my marriage with Miss Buffy Summers. And with regard to the resentment of her family, or the indignation of the world, if the former were excited by her marrying me, it would not give me one moment's concern -- and the world in general would have too much sense to join in the scorn.''

"And the is your real opinion! There is your final resolve! Very well. I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Mr. le Bloddy, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you reasonable; but, depend upon it, I will carry my point.''

In the manner Lord Snyder talked on, till they were at the door of the carriage, when, turning hastily round, he added, "I take no leave of you, Mr. le Bloddy. I send no compliments to your mother. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased.''

Spike made no answer; and without attempting to persuade his lordship to return into the house, walked quietly into it himself. He heard the carriage drive away as he proceeded up stairs. His father impatiently met his at the door of the dressing-room, to ask why Lord Snyder would not come in again and rest himself.

"He did not choose it,'' said his son, "she would go.''

"He is a very fine-looking man! and his calling here was prodigiously civil! for he only came, I suppose, to tell us the Anya Nkaes were well. He is on his road somewhere, I dare say, and so, passing through Sunnydale, thought he might as well call on you. I suppose he had nothing particular to say to you, Spikey?''

Spike was forced to give into a little falsehood here; for to acknowledge the substance of their conversation was impossible.
 

Back

Next