"Or three months," said Mr. Grey. "Undoubtedly, Sir." "Six weeks, perhaps." "Any separation whatever, Sir. I need no trial. I can undergo no change; and you may imagine it is not a very agreeable prospect to me that Miss Capel is to be taken into society during my absence, and invited to select some one whom she may like better than myself." "Well--well," said Mr. Grey, "you will see the advantage of it one day or other. And now I have no more time to spare; my man will think me dead as it is. Seven o'clock, I declare. Well, thank Heaven, these things do not happen every day!" "Hello! a cabinet council!" exclaimed the well known voice of Mr. Casement; "let's make it a Council of Three. What is it all about? What not dressed, old gentleman? Then there's something in the wind, as sure as my name is Roger Casement. You had better tell me, for I shall be sure to find it out. Has this young fellow been proposing for Miss Peggy?" Mr. Haveloc flung himself out of the room in great disdain; and Mr. Grey taking up his candlestick, said "that he was really in a hurry, and that Mr. Casement would no doubt find his niece in the drawing-room." Margaret was there, ready dressed, and in some wonder that her very punctual uncle had not yet appeared. Mr. Casement entered, took his usual place on the hearth-rug, and nodded to Margaret, who returned his salutation in silence. "What's the matter, little woman--been crying?" asked Mr. Casement. "No, Sir," returned Margaret in some surprise. "What have they been doing all the afternoon, in there--uncle and the young fellow. Eh?" "I dare say they have been reading, Sir," said Margaret, "my uncle was alone when I last saw him." "Reading--bah!" said Mr. Casement; "I say, it is my belief that the young fellow is going to be married; eh?" And Mr. Casement stirred the fire, and watched her countenance by the blaze. "It may be, Sir," said Margaret, with a quiet smile. "I am not in the secret." "My old woman has got the rheumatism, so I am come to dine here," said Mr. Casement. Margaret said she was sorry Mrs. Casement was suffering, and then there was a pause. Margaret played with her greyhound, and Mr. Casement whistled softly, and very much out of tune. Mr. Haveloc was the first to make his appearance, he came up in a quiet serious manner to Margaret; apologized for being late, and said, that he had also to answer for Mr. Grey's delay, since he had detained him in the library talking of his affairs. "I should not wonder if he had been gambling," said Mr. Casement in a soliloquy. Mr. Haveloc never vouchsafed an answer to Mr. Casement's flattering remarks. He drew a chair near Margaret, and began to converse with her. "What is he talking about, little woman?" asked Mr. Casement, after they had exchanged a few sentences in rather a low tone. "Nothing, Sir," returned Margaret hastily.