“You may make yourself perfectly easy on that subject,” replied Robert Darnley. So saying, the young gentleman took the letter, and with a smile of incredulity and a look of anticipation--for he guessed very nearly the subject of it--he perused it with a forced attention, and returning it to Mr Pringle, directed his conversation to his father. “I presume, sir, you have read this letter yourself?” “I have,” replied Mr Darnley; “and have you any doubts on your mind now? Does not this corroborate all that I have said to you?” “It certainly would corroborate what you have said,” replied the young gentleman, “if it were true, but I do not believe a word of it.” Quickly turning round to Mr Pringle, the son of the rector of Neverden said by way of apology, “I have not the most distant idea, sir, of questioning the veracity of your relative, but I am perfectly satisfied that there is a mistake somewhere; but, how the mistake has originated, I cannot divine.” “My relative,” said Mr Pringle in reply, “says in this letter that he heard it from Lord Spoonbill himself.” “I have no doubt of that, sir,” answered Robert Darnley; “but I can tell you that I would not believe it if I heard it from Lord Spoonbill himself.” The young rector of Neverden was puzzled, not more at the assertions than at the very calm and confident manner in which they were uttered. And he was beginning to think whether he ought not to be angry that any one should presume to suspect that Zephaniah Pringle could by any chance whatever be deceived. While Mr Pringle was hesitating whether he should be offended or not, Mr Darnley started up in one of his magnificent airs, saying to his son, “Boy, you are infatuated.” This angry and loud speech made poor Mr Pringle feel rather awkward, and he wished himself away. It is not by any means a proof of good taste to suffer domestic differences to be exhibited before strangers. We should have thought that Mr Darnley had known better; but with all his wisdom he had not discretion enough to govern himself in that respect. The young gentleman his son did not wish to have the name of Miss Primrose and her history angrily bandied about in the presence of Mr Pringle, therefore, when the father made the remark above noticed, the young man did not make any reply to it.