'Hem--Sir George, this is Lady Dunborough,' replied Mr. Thomasson, not a

little embarrassed.

Soane's eyes twinkled as he returned the viscountess's glance. But he

bowed profoundly, and with a sweep of his hat that made the rustics

stare. 'Your ladyship's most humble servant,' he said. 'Allow me to hope

that Mr. Dunborough is perfectly recovered. Believe me, I greatly

regretted his mischance.' But Lady Dunborough was not so foolish as to receive his overtures

according to the letter. She saw plainly that he had chosen his

side--the impertinent fop, with his airs and graces!--and she was not to

be propitiated. 'Pray leave my son's name apart,' she answered, tossing

her head contemptuously. 'After what has happened, sir, I prefer not to

discuss him with you.' Sir George raised his eyebrows, and bowed as profoundly as before. 'That

is entirely as your ladyship pleases,' he said. Nevertheless he was not

accustomed to be snubbed, and he set a trifle to her account.

'But for that creature,' she continued, trembling with passion, 'I will

not sleep under the same roof with her.' Sir George simpered. 'I am sorry for that,' he said. 'For I am afraid

that the Falcon in the town is not the stamp of house to suit your

ladyship.' The viscountess gasped. 'I should like to know why you champion her,'

she cried violently. 'I suppose you came here to meet her.' 'Alas, madam, I am not so happy,' he answered--with such blandness that

a servant by the door choked, and had to be hustled out in disgrace.

'But since Miss--er--Masterson is here, I shall be glad to place my

rooms at her--mother's disposal.' 'There are no rooms,' said the landlord. Between the two he was growing

bewildered.

'There are mine,' said Sir George drily.

'But for yourself, Sir George?' 'Oh, never mind me, my good man. I am here to meet Lord Chatham, and

some of his people will accommodate me.' 'Well, of course,' Mr. Smith answered, rubbing his hands dubiously--for

he had sent for the constable--'of course, Sir George--if you wish it.

I did not understand for whom the rooms were ordered, or--or this

unpleasantness would not have arisen.' 'To be sure,' Sir George drawled good-naturedly. 'Give the constable

half-a-crown, Smith, and charge it to me.' And he turned on his heel.

But at this appearance of a happy issue, Lady Dunborough's rage and

chagrin, which had been rising higher and higher with each word of the

dialogue, could no longer be restrained. In an awful voice, and with a

port of such majesty that an ordinary man must have shaken in his shoes

before her towering headdress, 'Am I to understand,' she cried, 'that,

after all that has been said about these persons, you propose to

harbour them?' The landlord looked particularly miserable; luckily he was saved from

the necessity of replying by an unexpected intervention.




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