"Yes, Hampton, dear," said Lady Rea, "Mr Trevor is really very kind: he has promised us a lot of those beautiful gladioli that you admired so when you went over Penreife grounds." Sir Hampton bowed to Trevor, and looked daggers at his wife, who glanced then at Fin, as much as to say--"What have I done now!" "A particularly fine specimen, I should say," Vanleigh was heard to remark. "Do you think so?" said Miss Matilda. "I should say perfectly pure," said Vanleigh, stooping to caress Pepine, who snarled and tried to bite. "Fie, Pepine, then!" said Miss Matilda. "Don't be afraid of him, Captain Vanleigh." "I am not," said Vanleigh, showing his white teeth, and taking the terrier in his hands. "Look here, Landells, what should you say of this dog?" Sir Felix fixed his glass, and crossed to his friend. "'Markably fine terrier," said Sir Felix, "most decidedly." And he touched Pepine, and was bitten spitefully on the glove. "You remember the dog you sent to the Palace Show?" "'Member perfectly," said Sir Felix; "splen' collection." "But did you see a finer bred specimen than that--say frankly?" "Nothing like it; 'fectly sure of it." "There, Miss Rea," said Vanleigh, "and Landells is one of the finest amateur judges of dogs in the country." "Is he really?" said Miss Matilda, smiling. "Oh yes," said Vanleigh. "What should you think that dog was worth, Landells?" "Any money," said Sir Felix; "five at least." "But I gave ten pounds for it," said Miss Matilda, indignantly. "Exactly," said Vanleigh. "Then you obtained it at a great bargain." "But he said five pounds," said Miss Matilda. "Exactly, my dear madam," said Vanleigh. "That is the judge's fashion-- five pounds a paw; twenty pounds." "Oh, I see!" said Miss Matilda, and Trevor turned aside, for he had encountered Fin's laughing eyes, and her pinched-up mouth had said dumbly-- "My! What a fib!" After a little more conversation, the trio took their leave, and there was peace between the dwellers at Penreife and Tolcarne for many days to come. "Er-rum," said Sir Hampton, as soon as they were alone. "I am not very agreeably impressed with this Mr Trevor." "Aren't you, dear?" said Lady Rea; "and I thought him such a nice, gentlemanly, frank fellow, and so did the girls." "Sadly wanting in manners," said Aunt Matty. "Quite as you said, Hampton--rough and uncultivated." Sir Hampton nodded his head approvingly. "But he don't call out `avast!' and `Ship ahoy!' and `Haul in slack,' as you said he would, aunty," said Fin. "Finetta, I never made use of any such language," said Miss Matilda. "Then it must have been I," said Fin. "I know somebody said so." "Most gentlemanly men the friends you introduced, Hampton--especially Captain Vanleigh." "And the dog-fancier with the glass," put in Fin, in an undertone; but her aunt heard her.