There was, however, an exception which ultimately led to a most thrilling episode. Archibald Brookes, it has been said, often frequented the Brinkstone Arms, unlike his brothers and the other young men of good family. Here, of course, he soon became acquainted with such an habitual attendant as the artist, and the men fraternized quickly. Of course, the young man was cultivating the artist for his own ends. He had already gained the reputation of a rather tawdry sort of village Don Juan, much to the grief of his parents, and in justice it must be said to the disgust of his brothers, whose vices were of a different pattern. Lettice had attracted him very much when he met her accidentally in the village or when she took her solitary walks. No doubt he thought a lonely girl like her would prove an easy conquest to a man of his attractions. He wanted to get at the daughter through the father. Larchester, who was very simple in some things, fell into the trap set for him. He took the young man home one afternoon and formally made the two acquainted. Lettice was dressed very simply, as she usually was, but her beauty did not require the aid of dress, and she looked very charming. Young Archibald was very much smitten, he soon found frequent pretexts for unceremonious visits, bringing her baskets of fruits and flowers, and paying her compliments that embarrassed more than delighted her. For she very soon saw through him and guessed that his artificial politeness concealed a base and unscrupulous nature. Then one day a catastrophe occurred. He called one morning when her father was out. The village woman had finished her work and left, the girl was alone in the house, preparing to engage in her usual daily duties. In spite of her attempts to keep him out young Brookes, fired by her attractiveness, managed to edge his way in. The coast was clear, he had nobody to deal with but a weak woman. He lost his head, and was guilty of abominable rudeness. He seized her roughly in his arms, and in spite of her struggles, managed to snatch a kiss from her reluctant and outraged lips. Then, finding she was not the easy conquest he had anticipated, and perhaps a little fearful of the consequences of his unmanly act, he beat a hasty retreat. When the father returned he was told of what happened, and burst into a paroxysm of wild fury, venting imprecations on the young dastard who had dared to offer such an insult to a virtuous girl like his daughter. Selfish, soddened and callous as the man had become from long habits of intemperance, if there was one being in the world that he respected, it was this unhappy girl whom he had condemned to such a sordid and degrading existence. He knew well enough that, in his position, the young cub had no serious intentions, but merely wished to play with her as he had done with many of his village light-o’-loves.