to call on the old fellow to get leave for fishing in that water of
Lord St. Erme's. He has a very pretty sort of little place out of the
town close to the park, and--and somehow the weather was too bright for
any sport, and the stream led by their garden.'

'I perceive,' said John.

'Well, I saw I was in for it, and had nothing for it but to go through
with it. Anything for a quiet life.'

'A new mode of securing it,' said John, indignant at his nonchalance.

'There you don't display your wonted sagacity,' returned Arthur coolly.
'You little know what I have gone through on your account. If you had
been sound-winded, you would have saved me no end of persecution.'

'You have not avoided speculation as it is,' John could not help
saying.

'I beg to observe that you are mistaken. Old Moss is as cunning a fox
as ever lived; but I saw his game, and without my own good-will he
might have whistled for me. I saw what he was up to, and let him know
it, but as I was always determined that when I married it should be to
please myself, not my aunt, I let things take their course and saved
the row at home.'

'I am sure she knew nothing of this.'

'She? Bless you, poor child. She is as innocent as a lamb, and only
thinks me all the heroes in the world.'