it seems has personated your cousin upon more than one occasion, and not a little to his disadvantage.  Now we wish you to sift these matters to the bottom, by your going to Paris as soon as you can venture to leave London—­find out this man, and if possible, make all straight; if money is wanting, he must of course have it; but bear one thing in mind, that any possible step which may remove this unhappy impression from my daughter’s mind, will be of infinite service, and never forgotten by us.  Kilkee too has taken some dislike to Guy.  You have only, however, to talk to him on the matter, and he is sure to pay attention to you.”

“And, Harry,” said my uncle, “tell Guy, I am much displeased that he is not here, I expected him to leave Paris with me, but some absurd wager at the Jockey Club detained him.”

“Another thing, Harry, you may as well mention to your cousin, that Sir Guy has complied with every suggestion that he formerly threw out—­he will understand the allusion.”

“Oh yes,” said my uncle, “tell him roundly, he shall have Elton Hall; I have fitted up Marsden for myself; so no difficulty lies in that quarter.”

“You may add, if you like, that my present position with the government enables me to offer him a speedy prospect of a Regiment, and that I think he had better not leave the army.”

“And say that by next post Hamercloth’s bond for the six thousand shall be paid off, and let him send me a note of any other large sum he owes.”

“And above all things, no more delays.  I must leave this for England inevitably, and as the ladies will probably prefer wintering in Italy—­”

“Oh certainly,” said my uncle, “the wedding must take place.”

“I scarcely can ask you to come to us on the occasion, though I need not say how greatly we should all feel gratified if you could do so,” said my Lord.

While this cross fire went on from both sides, I looked from one to the other of the speakers.  My first impression being, that having perceived and disliked my attention to Lady Jane, they adopted this “mauvaise plaisanterie” as a kind of smart lesson for my future guidance.  My next impression was that they were really in earnest, but about the very stupidest pair of old gentlemen that ever wore hair powder.

“And this is all,” said I, drawing a long breath, and inwardly uttering a short prayer for patience.

“Why, I believe, I have mentioned everything,” said Lord Callonby, “except that if anything occurs to yourself that offers a prospect of forwarding this affair, we leave you a carte blanche to adopt it.”

“Of course, then,” said I, “I am to understand that as no other difficulties lie in the way than those your Lordship has mentioned, the feelings of the parties, their affections are mutual.”

“Oh, of course, your cousin, I suppose, has made himself agreeable; he is a good looking fellow, and in fact, I am not aware, why they should not like each other, eh Sir Guy?”