"Do you not admire the prospect, sir? This is the finest park I think I have ever seen. Why, I had no idea you had such parks in Scotland." "It is indeed a fine one; but cannot, I think, be compared to many I have seen in England. I am myself English, though residing here--such parks as Goodwood, in Sussex, for instance?" "Is that a finer one? I had not thought it." "Oh, dear, yes. Goodwood, the Duke of Richmond's, as I suppose you know; this cannot compare with it." "Indeed! Why, God a-mercy, sir! I do not think so." "You cannot surely have seen it, sir,--or must forget it. You surely cannot know Goodwood, to say so." "Indeed, sir, if I do not know it, I wonder who else does, considering I am its owner?" said the gentleman, smiling. Mr. Lennox's surprise was great. "You the Duke of Richmond. I am sure I beg your Grace's pardon." "There is no need--thought is free--every one may have his own opinion." "Then I may claim the honour of relationship to your Grace, being a Lennox myself." "I doubt it not," said the Duke, shaking hands. "The Duke of Leinster, you know, was not ashamed to claim cousinship with every beggar who bore the name of Fitzgerald; and I am sure I am honoured by claiming it with you." Mr. Lennox felt that beneath this compliment indirectly he had been called a beggar, and was not over-pleased with his first interview with his noble relative--nor with his conversation. Meanwhile, the room had filled with ladies and gentlemen; and when the gong sounded more than thirty descended to dinner. Mr. Lennox, owing to the scarcity of ladies, and general rank of the other gentlemen, was forced to walk down with Johnny as a companion. "We cut but poor figures," said Johnny, "with no ladies to take down." Mr. Lennox vouchsafed no reply to this, as he thought, impertinent remark. "You must be tired after your long trudge." "I came sir, by the _coach_, and only walked from the Lodge," said Mr. Lennox, exceedingly annoyed. "It is a good grind from the Lodge," replied his tormentor, as they entered the dining-room. Lord Wentworth had so arranged that Ellen Ravensworth sat next him at table, though of course he had not brought her down. Opposite was an empty chair. When dinner was begun, a young officer, in full uniform, entered the room and took possession of the vacant place. Ellen naturally glanced to see who it was--Horror untold! she had not dreamed of this. Opposite her sat who? but Captain L'Estrange! She felt her cheek blush, though aware the Earl's eye was upon her, at this unexpected rencontre, as she called to mind where and how she had last seen him. L'Estrange concealed his feelings better, and seemed quite unconcerned at her presence, and after apologising for his lateness on the plea he had taken a long ride, he addressed her with the utmost nonchalance. "I am glad to see you looking so blooming, Miss Ravensworth; I hope you are now quite recovered?"