Lord Kilgobbin. Lever Charles James

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      ‘Well, I suppose it’s almost a shame to own it – not that I could have done anything to prevent it – but she did step down one step of the stair and actually cover me from fire.’

      ‘She’s the finest girl in Europe,’ said Lockwood warmly.

      ‘And if it was not the contrast with her cousin, I’d almost say one of the handsomest,’ said Cecil.

      ‘The Greek is splendid, I admit that, though she’ll not speak – she’ll scarcely notice me.’

      ‘How is that?’

      ‘I can’t imagine, except it might have been, an awkward speech I made when we were talking over the row. I said, “Where were you? what were you doing all this time? “’

      ‘And what answer did she make you?’

      ‘None; not a word. She drew herself proudly up, and opened her eyes so large and full upon me, that I felt I must have appeared some sort of monster to be so stared at.’

      ‘I’ve seen her do that.’

      ‘It was very grand and very beautiful; but I’ll be shot if I’d like to stand under it again. From that time to this she has never deigned me more than a mere salutation.’

      ‘And are you good friends with the other girl?’

      ‘The best in the world. I don’t see much of her, for she’s always abroad, over the farm, or among the tenants: but when we meet we are very cordial and friendly.’

      ‘And the father, what is he like?’

      ‘My lord is a glorious old fellow, full of hospitable plans and pleasant projects; but terribly distressed to think that this unlucky incident should prejudice you against Ireland. Indeed, he gave me to understand that there must have been some mistake or misconception in the matter, for the castle had never been attacked before; and he insists on saying that if you will stop here – I think he said ten years – you’ll not see another such occurrence.’

      ‘It’s rather a hard way to test the problem though.’

      ‘What’s more, he included me in the experiment.’

      ‘And this title? Does he assume it, or expect it to be recognised?’

      ‘I can scarcely tell you. The Greek girl “my lords” him occasionally; his daughter, never. The servants always do so; and I take it that people use their own discretion about it.’

      ‘Or do it in a sort of indolent courtesy, as they call Marsala, sherry, but take care at the same time to pass the decanter. I believe you telegraphed to his Excellency?’

      ‘Yes; and he means to come over next week.’

      ‘Any news of Lady Maude?’

      ‘Only that she comes with him, and I’m sorry for it.’

      ‘So am I – deuced sorry! In a gossiping town like Dublin there will be surely some story afloat about these handsome girls here. She saw the Greek, too, at the Duke of Rigati’s ball at Rome, and she never forgets a name or a face. A pleasant trait in a wife.’

      ‘Of course the best plan will be to get removed, and be safely installed in our old quarters at the Castle before they arrive.’

      ‘We must hear what the doctor says.’

      ‘He’ll say no, naturally, for he’ll not like to lose his patient. He will have to convey you to town, and we’ll try and make him believe it will be the making of him. Don’t you agree with me, Cecil, it’s the thing to do?’

      ‘I have not thought it over yet. I will to-day. By the way, I know it’s the thing to do,’ repeated he, with an air of determination. ‘There will be all manner of reports, scandals, and falsehoods to no end about this business here; and when Lady Maude learns, as she is sure to learn, that the “Greek girl” is in the story, I cannot measure the mischief that may come of it.’

      ‘Break off the match, eh?’

      ‘That is certainly “on the cards.”’

      ‘I suspect even that would not break your heart.’

      ‘I don’t say it would, but it would prove very inconvenient in many ways. Danesbury has great claims on his party. He came here as Viceroy dead against his will, and, depend upon it, he made his terms. Then if these people go out, and the Tories want to outbid them, Danesbury could take – ay, and would take – office under them.’

      ‘I cannot follow all that. All I know is, I like the old boy himself, though he is a bit pompous now and then, and fancies he’s Emperor of Russia.’

      ‘I wish his niece didn’t imagine she was an imperial princess.’

      ‘That she does! I think she is the haughtiest girl I ever met. To be sure she was a great beauty.’

      ‘Was, Harry! What do you mean by “was”? Lady Maude is not eight-and-twenty.’

      ‘Ain’t she, though? Will you have a ten-pound note on it that she’s not over thirty-one; and I can tell you who could decide the wager?’

      ‘A delicate thought! – a fellow betting on the age of the girl he’s going to marry!’

      ‘Ten o’clock! – nearly half-past ten!’ said Lockwood, rising from his chair. ‘I must go and have some breakfast. I meant to have been down in time to-day, and breakfasted with the old fellow and his daughter; for coming late brings me to a tête-à-tête with the Greek damsel, and it isn’t jolly, I assure you.’

      ‘Don’t you speak?’

      ‘Never a word?’ She’s generally reading a newspaper when I go in. She lays it down; but after remarking that she fears I’ll find the coffee cold, she goes on with her breakfast, kisses her Maltese terrier, asks him a few questions about his health, and whether he would like to be in a warmer climate, and then sails away.’

      ‘And how she walks!’

      ‘Is she bored here?’

      ‘She says not.’

      ‘She can scarcely like these people; they ‘re not the sort of thing she has ever been used to.’

      ‘She tells me she likes them: they certainly like her.’

      ‘Well,’ said Lockwood, with a sigh, ‘she’s the most beautiful woman, certainly, I’ve ever seen; and, at this moment, I’d rather eat a crust with a glass of beer under a hedge than I’d go down and sit at breakfast with her.’

      ‘I’ll be shot if I’ll not tell her that speech the first day I’m down again.’

      ‘So you may, for by that time I shall have seen her for the last time.’ And with this he strolled out of the room and down the stairs towards the breakfast-parlour.

      As he stood at the door he heard the sound of voices laughing and talking pleasantly. He entered, and Nina arose as he came forward, and said, ‘Let me present my cousin – Mr. Richard Kearney, Major Lockwood; his friend, Mr. Atlee.’

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