"Let him look at her now, if he dare," thought Fin, with her eyes sparkling. But Trevor did not dare; he only gazed in Lady Rea's pleasant face, and she made Aunt Matty shiver--firstly, by laying her hand in a soothing way upon the young man's arm; secondly, by saying she would put herself under an obligation to this dreadful seafaring person, by accepting his offer of flowers; and thirdly, by the following terribly imprudent speech-- "I'm sure I don't know where dear papa can be gone; but as he's not here, Mr Trevor, you must let me say that whenever you feel dull and lonely, you must come up here and have a chat, and some music, or something of that sort. We shall always be delighted to see you." "Er-rum! Er-rum!" came from the garden. "Oh! here's papa!" cried Lady Rea. "I'm glad he's come!" "Er-rum!" came again, and then steps and voices were heard in the conservatory--voices which made Trevor rise and look annoyed. The next moment Sir Hampton ushered two gentlemen into the drawing-room through the conservatory. "Lady Rea--Tiny dear," he said, loudly--"er-rum, let me make you known to my friends--Sir Felix Landells and Captain Vanleigh." Volume 2, Chapter VII. AUNT MATTY IS CROSS. Sir Hampton started as his eyes fell upon Trevor, and his pink complexion began to grow red. "Oh, Fin!" whispered Tiny, heedless of the admiring gaze of Vanleigh, who now advanced; while after saluting Lady Rea, Landells turned to Fin. "This is Mr Trevor, called to see us, dear," said Lady Rea. "Er-rum!" went Sir Hampton, and he bristled visibly; but Trevor approached with extended hand. "Sir Hampton," he said, "I came to apologise for my very hasty behaviour to you. I'm afraid I gave you a very bad opinion of your neighbour." "Er-rum! I--er? I--er-rum," said and coughed Sir Hampton, hesitating; but there was the hand of amity stretched out, and he was obliged to take it--moving with great dignity, and looking at Trevor as if he had just pardoned a malefactor for committing some heinous crime. "Didn't 'spect to see; here," said Sir Felix, making play with his glass at everybody in turn. "The surprise is mutual," said Trevor. "Odd coincidence," said Vanleigh, who had crossed now to Miss Matilda, like a good diplomatist. "We were walking, after you ran away from us, and met Sir Hampton." "Er-rum--Mr Trevor," said Sir Hampton, pompously, "I am in your debt; your friends here were kind enough to give my daughters and myself the use of your carriage after a very--er-rum--narrow escape from a terrible--er-rum--catastrophe. I am very much obliged." "Don't name it, Sir Hampton, pray," said Trevor. "Out here in this place, we are all obliged to rely upon one another for a little help. I shall have to beg favours of you, some day, I hope." "Er-rum--you are very good," said Sir Hampton, stiffly.