“It may suit your purpose, sir, but it can scarcely conform to the generosity of a gentleman, to taunt me with acceding to your request for a meeting. If any other weakness can be alleged against me, pray let me hear it.” “When we last met,” said Linton, in a voice of lower and deeper meaning than before, “we did so that I might speak, and _you_ hear, the avowal of a passion which for years has filled my heart--against which I have struggled and fought in vain--to stifle which I have plunged into dissipations that I detested, and followed ambitions I despised--to obliterate all memory of which I would stoop to crime itself, rather than suffer on in the hopeless misery I must do.” “I will hear no more of this,” said she, pushing back the work-table, and preparing to rise. “You must and you shall hear me, madam,” said he, replacing the table and affecting to arrange it for her. “I conclude you do not wish this amiable company to arbitrate between us.” “Oh, sir! is it thus you threaten me?” “You should say compromise, madam. There can be no threat where a common ruin impends on all concerned.” “To what end all this, Mr. Linton?” said she. “You surely cannot expect from me any return to a feeling which, if it once existed, you yourself were the means of uprooting forever. Even _you_ could scarcely be ungenerous enough to persecute one for whose misery you have done already too much.” “Will you accept my arm for half an hour?” cried he, interrupting. “I pledge myself it shall be the last time I either make such a request, or even allude to this topic between us. On the pretence of showing you the house, I may be able--if not to justify myself--nay, I see how little you care for that--well, at least to assure you that I have no other wish, no other hope, than to see you happy.” “I cannot trust you,” said she, in a tone of agitation; “already we are remarked.” “So I perceive,” said he, in an undertone; then added, in a voice audible enough to be heard by the rest, “I am too vain of my architectural merits to leave their discovery to chance; and as you are good enough to say you would like to see the house, pray will your Ladyship accept my arm while I perform the cicerone on myself?” The _coup_ succeeded, and, to avoid the difficulty and embarrassment a refusal would have created, Lady Kilgoff arose, and prepared to accompany him. “Eh, what--what is't, my Lady?” said Lord Kilgoff, suddenly awaking from a kind of lethargic slumber, as she whispered some words in his ear. “Her Ladyship is telling you not to be jealous, my Lord, while she is making the tour of the house with Mr. Linton,” said Lady Janet, with a malicious sparkle of her green eyes. “Why not make it a royal progress?” said Sir Harvey. “Her Majesty the Queen might like it well.” “Her Majesty likes everything that promises amusement,” said the wild romp; “come, Charley, give us your arm.