They entered, and the admiral stared a little, and wondered how this couple came together--the keen but plain old man, with clothes hanging on him, and the dashing beauty, with her dress in the height of the fashion, and her gauntleted hands. However, he bowed ceremoniously, and begged his visitors to be seated. Now the folding-doors were ajar, and the _soi-disant_ Mrs. Oldfield peeped. She saw Bella Bruce at some distance, seated by the fire, in a reverie. Judge that young lady's astonishment when she looked up and observed a large white, well-shaped hand, sparkling with diamonds and rubies, beckoning her furtively. The owner of that sparkling hand soon heard a soft rustle of silk come toward the door; the very rustle, somehow, was eloquent, and betrayed love and timidity, and something innocent yet subtle. The jeweled hand went in again directly. CHAPTER VIII. MEANTIME Mr. Oldfield began to tell the admiral who he was, and that he was come to remove a false impression about a client of his, Sir Charles Bassett. “That, sir,” said the admiral, sternly, “is a name we never mention here.” He rose and went to the folding-doors, and deliberately closed them. The Somerset, thus defeated, bit her lip, and sat all of a heap, like a cat about to spring, looking sulky and vicious. Mr. Oldfield persisted, and, as he took the admiral's hint and lowered his voice, he was interrupted no more, but made a simple statement of those facts which are known to the reader. Admiral Bruce heard them, and admitted that the case was not quite so bad as he had thought. Then Mr. Oldfield proposed that Sir Charles should be re-admitted. “No,” said the old admiral, firmly; “turn it how you will, it is too ugly; the bloom of the thing is gone. Why should my daughter take that woman's leavings? Why should I give her pure heart to a man about town?” “Because you will break it else,” said Miss Somerset, with affected politeness. “Give her credit for more dignity, madam, if you please,” replied Admiral Bruce, with equal politeness. “Oh, bother dignity!” cried the Somerset. At this free phrase from so well-dressed a lady Admiral Bruce opened his eyes, and inquired of Oldfield, rather satirically, who was this lady that did him the honor to interfere in his family affairs.