“Only a week or two, uncle,” replied Julius, devoutly hoping that no questions would be asked, which would compel him to confess that he had ensconsed himself in the worst apartment in the house. “I waited dinner for you an hour, after having expected you for two or three to go with me to visit your cousin Etty. However, you can stay to tea, and go with me in the evening.” “Excuse me, dear sir,—I have a particular reason for declining.” “What! again?—how do you intend to dispose of yourself?” “I—I shall stay in my own room, I believe, uncle.” “You vex and surprise me more and more, Julius. Independent of my earnest desire that you should see your cousin, your duty as a gentleman and as a relative requires that you should make her a visit, and the sooner it is done, the more it will be to your credit.” “The young lady in question being only my second-cousin, I cannot perceive that there is any duty connected with the matter. Second-cousins, except in cases of convenience, are seldom regarded as relatives at all.” “Whew! I presume that, after all that, I need not be surprised if you should propose to dissolve the connection between me and yourself! I, a queer, plain, old fellow, will hardly be likely to remain an _acknowledged_ kinsman of one who declines the relationship of one of the loveliest girls that ever the sun shone upon!” “My dear uncle, I meant no disrespect towards Miss Attwood, much less to you, but really, I have something to attend to, that will debar me from the pleasure of fulfilling your wishes, to-night. I will see you again in the morning. Good evening.” “I must keep a sharp watch on that youngster,” said the old bachelor to himself; “he can’t have formed an attachment at home, for he appeared delighted, at first, with my proposition for his settlement. As to his leaving my house, it strikes me that it was done for the purpose of escaping my _surveillance_. I must be careful as to what sort of habits he has formed, before I decide on carrying out my plans. I must go to see Etty this evening myself, and as she will expect some excuse for his not calling, I can tell her that he is diffident,—not used to ladies’ society, or something that way. She has not been here for several days, I presume on his account; so I’ll tell her that he has taken boarding at Mrs. W——’s. I have no notion of being cheated out of my only lady visiter by the ungrateful scamp.” And the old gentleman carried his resolve into execution.