"You knew when I was at Chirke Weston," said Mr. Gage, "that my feelings towards you had undergone no change, and yet you not only suffered me to be in an error, but you encouraged my belief that you were engaged to that man to the utmost of your power." "Well," said Harriet, "I am not going to tell any lies. Perhaps, I did. I was rather amused to see you making a blunder." "You confess it," said Mr. Gage; "and now you are acting the same part with that wretched idiot, Humphries; though you still see that I cannot forget you, as I wish to Heaven I could." "Poor dear Mr. Humphries!" said Harriet, leaning against the window, and, throwing the pieces of meat slowly to her dog, "he is to be called an idiot, because I am commonly civil to my uncle's guests." "I suppose I am not to be considered as your uncle's guest?" said Mr. Gage. "Not when you behave so ill," returned Harriet. "I--what have I done?" asked Mr. Gage. "Recollect the ball, Sir!" said Harriet; "remember how you tricked me into dancing with you." Mr. Gage smiled a little. "Allow that you brought it on yourself," said he. "You _could_ not dance with Sir Hawarth." "Could not?" asked Harriet. "I imagine I have every right to please myself in such things. Besides, you have been very rude to me ever since you came; and did not leave the house when I desired you." "You know that it was impossible," said Mr. Gage; "besides, I gave you my reasons for not obeying you." "I did not want any reasons," said Harriet. "I believe you," said Mr. Gage; "but Miss Capel was evidently on my side then, as well as at the ball. I wish you would speak to her on the subject. I never met any woman with more delicacy of feeling." "It is a pity you don't marry her, then, if you think so highly of her;" said Harriet, perversely. "I did not come here to marry Miss Capel, but to marry you," replied Mr. Gage, coldly. The deepest carmine colour flew into Harriet's face, but she still remained pelting her dog with the little pieces of meat. Mr. Gage stood waiting to hear what she would say. "Ah! but George, do you mean it?" said Harriet, looking up archly in his face. "Do I mean it?" asked Mr. Gage; "when I give you the power of rejecting my hand again." This was so characteristic of the degree of estimation in which Mr. Gage held himself, that Harriet burst into a prolonged peal of laughter. "Well, then, George," said she, holding out her hand. "Well, then, Harriet," he replied, clasping it. "But I tell you what," said Harriet, as she was leaving the room, "you may go and make your own story good to my Uncle Singleton, for if you think I shall take all that trouble, you will find yourself very much mistaken." The next report current in the house was that Mr. Gage's horses were not going to Chirke Weston; and the presumption, therefore, was, that their master had determined to prolong his stay at Singleton Manor. CHAPTER IX. _Prin._ We are wise girls to work our lovers so,