head was splitting, but managed to say many very bitter things about gentlemen in general, and expressed a vehement hope that that poor man Goarly would get at least a hundred pounds.  It must be owned, however, that at this time she had heard nothing of Lord Rufford’s commission to her husband.  In the evening Larry came in and was at once told the terrible news.  “Larry,” said Kate, “Mary is going away for a month.”

“Where are you going, Mary?” asked the lover eagerly.

“To Lady Ushant’s, Mr. Twentyman.”

“For a month!”

“She has asked me for a month,” said Mary.

“It’s a regular fool’s errand,” said Mrs. Masters.  “It’s not done with my consent, Mr. Twentyman.  I don’t think she ought to stir from home till things are more settled.”

“They can be settled this moment as far as I am concerned,” said Larry standing up.

“There now,” said Mrs. Masters.  At this time Mr. Masters was not in the room.  “If you can make it straight with Mr. Twentyman I won’t say a word against your going away for a month.”

“Mamma, you shouldn’t!” exclaimed Mary.

“I hate such nonsense.  Mr. Twentyman is behaving honest and genteel.  What more would you have?  Give him an answer like a sensible girl.”

“I have given him an answer and I cannot say anything more,” said Mary as she left the room.

CHAPTER XIX

“Who valued the Geese?”

Before the time had come for the visit to Rufford Hall Mr. Gotobed had called upon Bearside the attorney and had learned as much as Mr. Bearside chose to tell him of the facts of the case.  This took place on the Saturday morning and the interview was on the whole satisfactory to the Senator.  But then having a theory of his own in his head, and being fond of ventilating his own theories, he explained thoroughly to the man the story which he wished to hear before the man was called upon to tell his story.  Mr. Bearside of course told it accordingly.  Goarly was a very poor man, and very ignorant; was perhaps not altogether so good a member of society as he might have been; but no doubt he had a strong case against the lord.  The lord, so said Mr. Bearside, had fallen into a way of paying a certain recompense in certain cases for crops damaged by game; and having in this way laid down a rule for himself did not choose to have that rule disturbed.  “Just feudalism!” said the indignant Senator.  “No better, nor yet no worse than that, sir,” said the attorney who did not in the least know what feudalism was.  “The strong hand backed by the strong rank and the strong purse determined to have its own way!” continued the Senator.  “A most determined man is his lordship,” said the attorney.  Then the Senator expressed his hope that Mr. Bearside would be able to see the poor man through it, and Mr. Bearside explained to the Senator that the poor man was a very poor man indeed, who had been so unfortunate