'It was a fall.' He should have no good story wherewith to regale his friends. 'Going on well, I trust? Chancing to be at Dublin, I heard by accident you were here, and fearing that there might be a difficulty, I ran down in the hope of being of service to you.' 'Thank you,' in the least thankful of tones. 'Is there nothing I can do for you?' 'Thank you, nothing.' 'Could I not obtain some advice for Miss Charteris?' 'Thank you, she wishes for none.' 'I am sure'--he spoke eagerly--'that in some way I could be of use to you. I shall remain at hand. I cannot bear that you should be alone in this remote place.' 'Thank you, we will not put you to inconvenience. We intended to be alone.' 'I see you esteem it a great liberty,' said poor Mr. Calthorp; 'but you must forgive my impulse to see whether I could be of any assistance to you. I will do as you desire, but at least you will let me leave Stefano with you; he is a fellow full of resources, who would make you comfortable here, and me easy about you.' 'Thank you, we require no one.' Those 'thank you's' were intolerable, but her defensive reserve and dignity attracted the gentleman more than all her dashing brilliancy, and he became more urgent. 'You cannot ask me to leave you entirely to yourselves under such circumstances.' 'I more than ask it, I insist upon it. Good morning.' 'Miss Sandbrook, do not go till you have heard and forgiven me.' 'I will not hear you, Mr. Calthorp. This is neither the time nor place,' said Lucilla, inly more and more perturbed, but moving along with slow, quiet steps, and betraying no emotion. 'The object of our journey was totally defeated by meeting any of our ordinary acquaintance, and but for this mischance I should have been on my way home to-day.' 'Oh! Miss Sandbrook, do you class me among your ordinary acquaintance?' It was all she could do to hinder her walk from losing its calm slowness, and before she could divest her intended reply of undignified sharpness, he continued: 'Who could have betrayed my presence? But for this, I meant that you should never have been aware that I was hovering near to watch over you.' 'Yes, to collect good stories for your club.' 'This is injustice! Flagrant injustice, Miss Sandbrook! Will you not credit the anxiety that irresistibly impelled me to be ever at hand in case you should need a protector?' 'No,' was the point-blank reply. 'How shall I convince you?' he cried, vehemently. 'What have I done that you should refuse to believe in the feelings that prompted me?' 'What have you done?' said Lucilla, whose blood was up. 'You have taken a liberty, which is the best proof of what your feelings are, and every moment that you force your presence on me adds to the offence!' She saw that she had succeeded. He stood still, bowed, and answered not, possibly deeming this the most effective means of recalling her; but from first to last he had not known Lucilla Sandbrook.