Cashel Byron's Profession

"It seems churlish, Lydia; but this, it appears, is a special

case--a young gentleman, who has come to recruit his health. He

needs daily exercise in the open air; but he cannot bear

observation, and he has only a single attendant with him. Under

these circumstances I agreed that they should have the sole use of

the elm vista. In fact, they are paying more rent than would be

reasonable without this privilege."

"I hope the young gentleman is not mad."

"I satisfied myself before I let the lodge to him that he would be a

proper tenant," said Lucian, with reproachful gravity. "He was

strongly recommended to me by Lord Worthington, whom I believe to be

a man of honor, notwithstanding his inveterate love of sport. As it

happens, I expressed to him the suspicion you have just suggested.

Worthington vouched for the tenant's sanity, and offered to take the

lodge in his own name and be personally responsible for the good

behavior of this young invalid, who has, I fancy, upset his nerves

by hard reading. Probably some college friend of Worthington's."

"Perhaps so. But I should rather expect a college friend of Lord

Worthington's to be a hard rider or drinker than a hard reader."

"You may be quite at ease, Lydia. I took Lord Worthington at his

word so far as to make the letting to him. I have never seen the

real tenant. But, though I do not even recollect his name, I will

venture to answer for him at second-hand."

"I am quite satisfied, Lucian; and I am greatly obliged to you. I

will give orders that no one shall go to the dairy by way of the

warren. It is natural that he should wish to be out of the world."

"The next point," resumed Lucian, "is more important, as it concerns

you personally. Miss Goff is willing to accept your offer. And a

most unsuitable companion she will be for you!"

"Why, Lucian?"

"On all accounts. She is younger than you, and therefore cannot

chaperone yon. She has received only an ordinary education, and her

experience of society is derived from local subscription balls. And,

as she is not unattractive, and is considered a beauty in

Wiltstoken, she is self-willed, and will probably take your

patronage in bad part."

"Is she more self-willed than I?"

"You are not self-willed, Lydia; except that you are deaf to

advice."

"You mean that I seldom follow it. And so you think I had better

employ a professional companion--a decayed gentlewoman--than save

this young girl from going out as a governess and beginning to decay

at twenty-three?"