Charley started from her as if he had been stung; but no one but Nelly noticed it. Five minutes after, Sir Philip and he were in the Brays' carriage, and on their way home, for Mr Bray had insisted upon their having it in place of a cab. There was no farther talk of going back to Blandfield Court till the Brays left town next week, and to all intents and purposes the Vinings lived in Harley-street. But Charley found time for a visit to Mr Whittrick, to see if there was any payment due. "Happy to attend upon you, if you require my services again, Mr Vining," he said, as he pocketed a cheque; and then he bowed his client out. It was that same morning that, returning to lunch in Harley-street, Charley found Laura seated frowningly over a note, which she made as if to conceal upon his entrance; but directly after, as if blushing for her weakness, she stood up, holding the letter in her hand. "Am I to be jealous?" he said laughingly, as he saluted her. "I was afraid it might hurt your feelings, Charley," she said, as her arms were resting on his shoulder. "Can you bear to hear its contents? It is from Max." "Yes," said Charley moodily, and with the veins in his forehead swelling. "He asks me to try and mediate--to try and make you think less angrily of him." "Where is he?" said Charley abruptly. "I do not know," said Laura. "Somewhere in the west of England. The postmark is Plymouth." "Laura," said Charley sternly, "I cannot forgive him. Max and I must never meet! Don't look so serious--I cannot help it. I am, I know, hard and unrelenting--But there, no tears! Why, you are trembling. I am not angry." "No, no; I know you are not," she whispered, nestling closer to him. "You must not be. I shall be so glad to get down to the old place again." "And I as well," said Charley. And, probably in deference to their wishes, both families started on the following day for their country seats. Volume 3, Chapter V. PREPARING THE RIVETS. "_Con_-gratulate you, my dear Vining! do, indeed," said Hugh Lingon, coming up to Charley in the hunting-field, when he had been home about a fortnight. "What about?" said Charley, who had attended every meet, and tried his best to break his neck as he rode straight, taking everything that came in his way. "What about?" said Lingon. "Why, about your coming marriage, to be sure. Haven't seen you before, or I should have given you a word or two. Rather too bad of Laura Bray, though." "What was?" said Charley very impatiently. "Why, making such a pair of tongs of me, with which to fish for her hot roast chestnut--meaning you, of course, Charley," said Lingon, with a laugh. "Don't be a fool!" said Charley gruffly. "Not if I can help it," said Lingon good-humouredly. "But you know how I was made a fool of, and then pitched over at any time, when your sultanship thought proper to be attentive."