Cashel Byron's Profession

The group was broken up by the guard admonishing the gentlemen to

take their seats. Farewells were exchanged; and Lord Worthington

cried, "Take care of yourself," to Cashel Byron, who replied

somewhat impatiently, and with an apprehensive glance at Miss Carew,

"All right! all right! Never you fear, sir." Then the train went

off, and he was left on the platform with the two ladies.

"We are returning to the park, Mr. Cashel Byron," said Lydia.

"So am I," said he. "Perhaps--" Here he broke down, and looked at

Alice to avoid Lydia's eye. Then they went out together.

When they had walked some distance in silence, Alice looking rigidly

before her, recollecting with suspicion that he had just addressed

Lord Worthington as "sir," while Lydia was admiring his light step

and perfect balance, which made him seem like a man of cork; he

said, "I saw you in the park yesterday, and I thought you were a ghost.

But my trai--my man, I mean--saw you too. I knew by that that you

were genuine."

"Strange!" said Lydia. "I had the same fancy about you."

"What! You had!" he exclaimed, looking at her. While thus unmindful

of his steps, he stumbled, and recovered himself with a stifled

oath. Then he became very red, and remarked that it was a warm

evening.

Miss Goff, whom he had addressed, assented. "I hope," she added,

"that you are better."

He looked puzzled. Concluding, after consideration, that she had

referred to his stumble, he said, "Thank you: I didn't hurt myself."

"Lord Worthington has been telling us about you," said Lydia. He

recoiled, evidently deeply mortified. She hastened to add, "He

mentioned that you had come down here to recruit your health; that

is all."

Cashel's features relaxed into a curious smile. But presently he

became suspicious, and said, anxiously, "He didn't tell you anything

else about me, did he?"

Alice stared at him superciliously. Lydia replied, "No. Nothing

else."

"I thought you might have heard my name somewhere," he persisted.

"Perhaps I have; but I cannot recall in what connection. Why? Do you

know any friend of mine?"

"Oh, no. Only Lord Worthington."

"I conclude then that you are celebrated, and that I have the

misfortune not to know it, Mr. Cashel Byron. Is it so?"

"Not a bit of it," he replied, hastily. "There's no reason why you

should ever have heard of me. I am much obliged to you for your kind

inquiries," he continued, turning to Alice. "I'm quite well now,

thank you. The country has set me right again."