'Sober-minded fiddlestick! I tell you this, Gustus, that the boy is father of the man. Now, listen. I have found out, quite by chance you know, that while travelling in his confounded caravan he has met some beautiful gipsy girl in Ireland, and is going to marry her. Loves her "distractedly," he says, whatever on earth that may mean.' Augustus laughed. He had more reasons than one for laughing. 'She, the gipsy, it would seem, is only nineteen, so it will be, or would be, but a boy and girl match; but--well, I'm not going to stand it, Gustus. Just look around you as we pause on this knoll, Gustus. Did ever you see a more lovely landscape estate in your life? Gaze on those summer woods, the hills, the beeches and pine-trees, that charming lake asleep in the sunshine, and the noble old Manby Hall nestling down yonder among its waving foliage.' 'It is, indeed, very charming, uncle.' 'And to think that this will go to--to--an idiot who has so little reverence for his ancient lineage and the blood of the Blakes that he intends to marry a Romany rye.' 'Don't excite yourself, sir. It is too bad of Frank. Shall I write to him and put it strong?' 'No--perish the thought! Only, if he does make this mésalliance I shall disinherit him.' Augustus Robb wanted to laugh again, but there was no excuse. So he leant over his saddle and grasped Mr Blake's hand silently. The apparent friendliness of the act was not lost upon the lord of the manor. 'Augustus,' he said presently, 'I believe I am a little low both in spirits and physique. I shouldn't really mind going to Norway for a month or two, now that Mrs Blake is well and strong again; but without a companion I should feel lonely and bored.' His nephew did not reply. He knew better. 'Come, Gustus, we'll go together.' 'Oh, that would be very delightful!' 'And, mind, you must promise me this: you will stand for S---- at next election, in the Conservative interest, and, my good boy, I'll use all my interest to have you returned.' An extract from a letter of Aggie's to her brother soon after this throws some light on Antony's intended marriage. 'I did, dear brother,' it ran, 'as you told me, and placed the letter in my boudoir desk, leaving the keys in it, and as I expected there was a mysterious disappearance. But I did firmly believe that father would see it was all fun. But he has taken it in earnest, and so has our beautiful cousin Gustie. He had the impudence to tell me the other day that when he was member for S---- he meant to enter London society in earnest, and have a large house, and that his establishment would be quite incomplete without a mistress. 'I know what he meant. And now, Frank, they are both off to Norway, and I sincerely hope father will return alone. The lakes in Norway are very deep, Frank, and the cliffs are very high.' From this extract it will be seen that Antony had meant merely to play a joke on his cousin, but it was taken seriously.