"I cannot say, sir. It is of a horse we were talking." "A horse--pshaw! You were wise to marry young, Basset. _I_ did so!" said Sir Launcelot. "I have had no reason to repent me thereof," replied Basset, complacently. "My family are charming; Mona is a fine girl in face and figure." "Quite a Tresilian--eh?" said the old man, proudly. "And your nephew, Lance, is as handsome a boy as any in London. I have, indeed, prospered every day since I placed the marriage hoop on Marion's finger." "Egad! you sing your own praises well, nephew Basset," said the baronet, after a pause. "But you, Arthur--why have you not imitated this fine example? I cannot last for ever, and I don't want my estates to go begging for owners." Arthur coloured with too evident vexation. "They cannot beg far, dear uncle," he replied, "while I have the good fortune to be your heir; and, then, Basset----" "His sons, you would say?" "Yes," replied the other, with a faint voice; for Basset was regarding him so keenly that he felt his colour deepen. "What is the booby blushing for?" asked Sir Launcelot, laughing. "Blushing at forty! By Jove! I was cured of it at fourteen! Will you ride with--I mean, drive over with me to Carn Mornal to-morrow? My friend Trelawny has three fine daughters, and I should like you to make their acquaintance. Tresilian and Trelawny would quarter well on a shield; or would it be _impaled_? Will you go, Arthur?" "I regret to say it is impossible, sir." "When--why?" "I have been a whole month at the Court, and am now due at a friend's house near--near London." "London again? The last time you started for London, Trelawny gave me some hints that you never went in that direction so far as the borders of Devonshire. I can't understand your total indifference to the society of ladies, and this resolute celibacy at your time of life. D--n it, sir, it don't look well! and I only hope you hav'n't conceived some unworthy attachment--I mean unworthy the name of Tresilian." "I have not, sir," replied the other, almost angrily for he still felt the keen legal eye of Basset upon him. "I shall never, I hope, do anything unworthy of the name we bear in common." "Thank you, Arthur boy. Give me your hand." "And now, uncle--leaving you and Basset to the Madeira--I'll smoke a cigar in the stable, and look at that horse I mean to take away with me to-morrow." And anxious to close a conversation, the subject of which pained him deeply, Arthur Tresilian left the stately dining-room, and strolled over the beautiful lawn towards the stable court. "Can Basset suspect me? Does he know anything? No! no!--he cannot! My poor Diana!" he muttered, "still this humiliating concealment, and no hope save through the death of that poor old man. Accursed be this silly pride of birth!" * * * * * "How long papa has been away from us--a whole month!" "When will papa be home, mamma dear? The cottage seems so dull without him!"