“You may have no regard for the interests of your family, but possibly you will care for some of your own,” said he, fiercely. “Now, I tell you distinctly, there are very grave perils hanging over us at this moment,--perils of which I cannot measure the amount nor the consequences. I can only dimly perceive the direction from which they come; and I warn you, for your own sake, make no confidences beyond the bounds of your own family.” “You are superbly mysterious, Gusty; and if I were impressionable on this kind of matter, I half suspect you might terrify me. Papa ought to have committed a forgery, at least, to justify your dark insinuations.” “There is no question of a forgery; but there may be that which, in the end, will lead to a ruin as complete as any forgery.” “I know what you mean,” said she, in a careless, easy tone. “The bank has made use of private securities and title-deeds, just as those other people did--I forget their names--a couple of years ago.” “It is not even that; but I repeat, the consequences may be to the full as disastrous.” “You allude to this unhappy scrape of Jack's.” “I do not. I was not then thinking of it.” “Because, as to that, Lord Culduff said there never yet grew a tree where there was n't a branch or two might be lopped off with advantage. If Jack does n't think his station in life worth preserving, all the teaching in the world won't persuade him to maintain it.” “Poor Jack!” said he, bitterly. “Yes, I say, poor Jack! too. I think it's exactly the epithet to apply to one whose spirit is so much beneath his condition.” “You are terribly changed, Marion. I do not know if you are aware of it?” “I hope I am. I trust that I look at the events around me from a higher level than I have been accustomed to hitherto.” “And is my father in a state to be consulted on a matter of this importance?” asked he, half indignantly. “Papa has already been spoken to about it; and it is by his own desire we are both to see him this evening.” “Am I the only one here who knew nothing of all this?” “You should have been told formally this morning, Augustus. Lord Culduff only waited for a telegram from Mr. Cutbill, to announce to you his intentions and his--hopes.” A slight hesitation delayed the word. “These things I can't help,” said he, bitterly, and as if speaking to himself. “They have been done without my knowledge, and regardless of me in every way; but I do protest--strongly protest--against Lord Culduff being introduced into matters which are purely our own.” “I never knew till now that we had family secrets,” said she, with an insolent air. “You may learn it later on, perhaps, and without pleasure.” “So, then, these are the grave perils you tried to terrify me with a while ago. You forget, Augustus, that I have secured my passage in another ship. Personally, at least, I am in no danger.”