This was Captain de Vere; to look at him one could not help calling him handsome: his dark eye, and closely-cut black hair gave him a military air--a dashing, soldierly appearance, and his height, which exceeded the Earl's slightly, combined with a splendid figure, gave him a fine manly mien; but there was something in his face cruel and unrelenting; his fierce moustache, and arched nose were those of a Roman, and in his eye there was the twinkle that told the libertine;--his handsomeness was that of a Nero, not so in its true significance. "Going where?" he answered abruptly. "To church," replied the Earl. "See you d----d first," was the curt reply. "Nor will Arranmore; he and I are going to the barracks to look out Musgrave." "Oh! John, you shouldn't swear so," said Lady Florence; "but where is Frank? perhaps he will come." "How the devil should I know--I am not Frank's keeper?" answered the Captain, showing how little he cared for the reproof. "Frank is in the dell," said Lord Arranmore, "looking after some woodcocks the keeper had told him about." "A hopeful set you all seem," said the good-natured Earl; "however, this is Liberty Hall, every one to his own mind, and no questions asked." "But won't you come, Arranmore?" said his betrothed. The Marquis looked doubtful. "No, no, that won't do, Edith," said the Captain, interrupting; "you are not going to get round Arranmore, and rob me of my companion; you don't catch us darkening your accursed church doors. Come along, old fellow," pulling the Marquis by the sleeve, "leave them to read sermons." "You should be ashamed to say so," answered Lady Edith, but her voice was lost in the clap of the door, as the irreligious young officer went off with his friend, coolly whistling "_Deil tak' the minister_," an old Scotch song. "Order two horses, Andrew, and tell Philip we shan't want him--be quick, you old rascal." "Yees, Captain," said the old privileged butler; "but, Lord bless us, he suld need wings wha wad do your orders, and I am but an auld man ye ken." "Then send James, and be d----d to you!" Leaving these two to ride where they listed, we shall follow Lord Wentworth and his sisters to church, accompanied, however, by Frank, as he was always called, a young man about seventeen, just preparing to join the 60th, and a passionate sportsman. "There is a fall of woodcocks in the round wood above the dell--three keepers saw them, so as I can't shoot to-day, I will go to church for once in a way to kill time," said Frank, getting into the carriage. We fear his brother's example was not doing Frank much good.