‘Oh! yes,’ she answered, with a catch in her breath, ‘and it is soon told. My father has been a tenant of Sir Archibald’s for many years, twenty-five, I think, or more, he has lived at Panty-cuckoo Farm all his married life, and both I and my sister were born there. Father has done a great deal for the land, and spent a lot of money on it, but Sir Archibald Bowmant keeps raising the rent until he fears it will be impossible for him to keep it on, and he thought perhaps--father thought that--_you_ might be able to help him by your influence with Sir Archibald.’ ‘But I don’t quite understand,’ said the earl; ‘what is it Mr Llewellyn wants me to do, Nell?’ ‘He fancied you might be able to remonstrate with Sir Archibald, because it is so unfair.’ Lord Ilfracombe looked grave. ‘I am sorry to refuse any request of your father’s, but I really don’t see my way to it. I am not a friend of Sir Archibald’s, you see. I am quite a new acquaintance, and I know nothing of his monetary affairs. I am afraid he would resent any interference on my part as a liberty.’ ‘I told father so, replied Nell, whose eyes were fixed on the earl all the time. ‘I thought just the same myself, but he was so obstinate. I did not know how to refuse him, without--raising his suspicions.’ ‘Ah--!’ replied Ilfracombe, thoughtfully, ‘_now_, don’t you see the imprudence of refusing to accept any settlement at my hands, Nell? You might have helped your father in this emergency.’ ‘Not with _your_ money, Lord Ilfracombe, given in such a cause. You don’t know my father. He would have died sooner than have taken it.’ ‘Like his daughter,’ said the earl; ‘well, you don’t know how unhappy you have made me by refusing all assistance at my hands; and since I met you the other evening and learned that you were alive, you have occupied all my thoughts, Nell. I will tell you what I will do, if possible. I will ask Sir Archibald Bowmant if he will sell me Panty-cuckoo Farm, and if he will part with the property, and I become your father’s landlord, he need not fear my raising the rent to him, I should feel much more inclined to lower it. And then some day, Nell, when you marry, as I have done, you will let me settle the old farm on you as a wedding present, and set my poor conscience at rest for evermore, won’t you?’ Nell set her teeth hard together as she replied,-- ‘Would you like to see me married, would it make you happier?’ There was not much need for him to answer, the light that illumined his whole face at the idea was sufficient answer. ‘Is there any chance of it?’ he asked her, eagerly. ‘There is an excellent chance if I chose to accept it. A man, a gentleman, who knows the circumstances of my life, and so cannot say afterwards that I have deceived him, has made me an offer of marriage, though I have not yet definitely accepted him.’