high-toned woman. You have seen too much character in your Courts to
judge of the kernel from the husk."

"The devil take the Courts! I'm sick of 'em," said Mr. Rushton, with
great fervor, "and as to _character_, there is no character anywhere,
or in anybody." Having enunciated which proposition, Mr. Rushton rose
to go.

The Squire rose too, holding him by the button.

"I'd like to argue that point with you," he said, laughing. "Come now,
tell me how--"

"I won't--I refuse--I will not argue."

"Stay to dinner, then, and I promise not to wrangle."

"No--I never stay to dinner! A pretty figure my docket would cut, if I
staid to your dinners and discussions! You've got the deeds I came to
see you about; my business is done; I'm going back."

"To that beautiful town of Winchester!" laughed the Squire, following
his grim guest out.

"Abominable place!" growled Rushton; "and that Roundjacket is
positively growing insupportable. I believe that fellow has a mania on
the subject of marrying, and he runs me nearly crazy. Then, there's
his confounded poem, which he persists in reading to himself nearly
aloud."