"Away and about it, then," said Etherington. "But, hark ye, Solmes, be kind to her, and see all her wants relieved. I have done her mischief enough--though nature and the devil had done half the work to my hand." Solmes at length was permitted to withdraw to execute his various commissions, with an assurance that his services would not be wanted for the next twenty-four hours. "Soh!" said the Earl, as his agent withdrew, "there is a spring put in motion, which, well oiled, will move the whole machine--And here, in lucky time, comes Harry Jekyl--I hear his whistle on the stairs.--There is a silly lightness of heart about that fellow, which I envy, while I despise it; but he is welcome now, for I want him." Jekyl entered accordingly, and broke out with "I am glad to see one of your fellows laying a cloth for two in your parlour, Etherington--I was afraid you were going down among these confounded bores again to-day." "_You_ are not to be one of the two, Hal," answered Lord Etherington. "No?--then I may be a third, I hope, if not second?" "Neither first, second, nor third, Captain.--The truth is, I want a tete-a-tete with Mr. Mowbray of St. Ronan's," replied the Earl; "and, besides, I have to beg the very particular favour of you to go again to that fellow Martigny. It is time that he should produce his papers, if he has any--of which, for one, I do not believe a word. He has had ample time to hear from London; and I think I have delayed long enough in an important matter upon his bare assertion." "I cannot blame your impatience," said Jekyl, "and I will go on your errand instantly. As you waited on my advice, I am bound to find an end to your suspense.--At the same time, if the man is not possessed of such papers as he spoke of, I must own he is happy in a command of consummate assurance, which might set up the whole roll of attorneys." "You will be soon able to judge of that," said Lord Etherington; "and now, off with you--Why do you look at me so anxiously?" "I cannot tell--I have strange forebodings about this tete-a-tete with Mowbray. You should spare him, Etherington--he is not your match--wants both judgment and temper." "Tell him so, Jekyl," answered the Earl, "and his proud Scotch stomach will be up in an instant, and he will pay you with a shot for your pains.--Why, he thinks himself cock of the walk, this strutting bantam, notwithstanding the lesson I gave him before--And what do you think?--He has the impudence to talk about my attentions to Lady Binks as inconsistent with the prosecution of my suit to his sister! Yes, Hal--this awkward Scotch laird, that has scarce tact enough to make love to a ewe-milker, or, at best, to some daggletailed soubrette, has the assurance to start himself as my rival!" "Then, good-night to St. Ronan's!--this will be a fatal dinner to him.--Etherington, I know by that laugh you are bent on mischief--I have a great mind to give him a hint."