Being very gentlemanlike in externals, with a certain grace, amounting very nearly to elegance, and having applied himself diligently to please the county people, that proud fraternity, remembering his father's estates, condoned his poverty, and took Captain Lake by the hand, and lifted him into their superb, though not very entertaining order. There were solemn festivities at Brandon, and festive solemnities at the principal county houses in return. Though not much of a sportsman, Lake lent himself handsomely to all the sporting proceedings of the county, and subscribed in a way worthy of the old renown of Brandon Hall to all sorts of charities and galas. So he was getting on very pleasantly with his new neighbours, and was likely to stand very fairly in that dull, but not unfriendly society. About three weeks after this great county marriage, there arrived, this time from Frankfort, a sharp letter, addressed to Jos. Larkin, Esq. It said:-- 'My Dear Sir,--I think I have reason to complain. I have just seen by accident the announcement of the marriage at Brandon. I think as my friend, and a friend to the Brandon family, you ought to have done something to delay, if you could not stop it. Of course, you had the settlements, and devil's in it if you could not have beat about a while--it was not so quick with me--and not doubled the point in a single tack; and you know the beggar has next to nothing. Any way, it was your duty to have printed some notice that the thing was thought of. If you had put it, like a bit of news, in "Galignani," I would have seen it, and known what to do. Well, that ship's blew up. But I won't let all go. The cur will begin to try for the county or for Dollington. You must quietly stop that, mind; and if he persists, just you put an advertisement in "Galignani," saying _Mr. Smith will take notice, that the other party is desirous to purchase, and becoming very pressing_. Just you hoist that signal, and _somebody_ will bear down, and blaze into him at all hazards--you'll see how. Things have not gone quite smooth with me since; but it won't be long till I run up my flag again, and take the command. Be perfectly civil with Stanley Lake till I come on board--that is indispensable; and keep this letter as close from every eye as sealed orders. You may want a trifle to balk S.L.'s electioneering, and there's an order on Lake for 200_l._ Don't trifle about the county and borough. He must have no footing in either till I return. 'Yours, dear Larkin, 'Very truly '(but look after my business better), 'M. WYLDER.' The order on Lake, a little note, was enclosed:-- 'Dear Lake,--I wish you joy, and all the good wishes going, as I could not make the prize myself. 'Be so good to hand my lawyer, Mr. Jos. Larkin, of the Lodge, Gylingden, 200_l._ sterling, on my account. 'Yours, dear Lake, 'Very faithfully, 'M. WYLDER. 200_l._) '23rd Feb., &c. &c.'