was he! He caught, on that memorable occasion, a sudden glimpse even of his own real inner man--of his infernal SELFISHNESS and HYPOCRISY--and involuntarily shuddered! Yes--he was striving to fascinate his _victims_!--those whom he was fast pressing on to the verge of destruction--against whom he was, at that moment, meditating profound and subtle schemes of mischief! At length they all got into animated conversation. Though infinitely charmed by the unaffected simplicity and frankness of their manners, he experienced a sad and painful consciousness at not having made the least _way_ with them. Though physically near to them, he seemed yet really at an unapproachable distance--and particularly from Miss Aubrey. He felt that the courtesy bestowed upon him was accidental, the result merely of his present position, and of the intelligence which he had come to communicate. It was not _personal_--'twas nothing to _Gammon himself_; it would never be renewed, unless he should renew his device! There was not the faintest semblance of _sympathy_ between them and him. Fallen as they were into a lower sphere, they had yet about them, so to speak, a certain atmosphere of conscious personal consequence, derived from high birth and breeding--from superior feelings and associations--from a native frankness and dignity of character, which was indestructible and inalienable; and which chilled and checked undue advances of any sort. They were still the Aubreys of Yatton, and he in their presence, still Mr. Gammon of the firm of Quirk, Gammon, and Snap, of Saffron Hill--and all this, too, without--on the part of the Aubreys--the least effort, the least intention, or even consciousness. No, there had not been exhibited towards him the faintest indication of hauteur. On the contrary, he had been treated with perfect cordiality and frankness. Yet, dissatisfaction and vexation were, he scarce knew at the moment why, pervading his whole soul. Had he accurately analyzed his own feelings he would have discovered the real clause--_in his own unreasonable, unjustifiable wishes and intentions_! But to return, they talked of Titmouse, and his mode of life and conduct--of his expected alliance with the Lady Cecilia, at the mention of which Gammon's quick eye detected a passing smile of scorn on Miss Aubrey's fine countenance, that was _death to all his own fond and ambitious hopes_. After he had been sitting with them for scarcely an hour, he detected Miss Aubrey stealthily glancing at her watch, and at once arose to take his departure with a very easy and graceful air, expressing an apprehension that he had trespassed upon their kindness. He was cordially assured to the contrary; but at the same time was not invited either to prolong his stay, or renew his visit. Miss Aubrey made him, he thought, as he inclined towards her, _rather_ a formal courtesy; and the tone of voice--soft and silvery--in which she said "good-night, Mr. Gammon,"