"I think he is a rascal," remarked the earl.

"I know he is; I know a thing or two about him. He would ruin her heart
for the renown of the exploit, because she's a beauty, and then fling it
away broken. He has none to give in return for the gift."

"Just as much as my new race-horse has," concluded the earl. "She is
very beautiful."



CHAPTER III.

BARBARA HARE.

West Lynne was a town of some importance, particularly in its own eyes,
though being neither a manufacturing one nor a cathedral one, nor even
the chief town of the county, it was somewhat primitive in its manners
and customs. Passing out at the town, toward the east, you came upon
several detached gentleman's houses, in the vicinity of which stood the
church of St. Jude, which was more aristocratic, in the matter of its
congregation, than the other churches of West Lynne. For about a
mile these houses were scattered, the church being situated at their
commencement, close to that busy part of the place, and about a mile
further on you came upon the beautiful estate which was called East
Lynne.

Between the gentlemen's houses mentioned and East Lynne, the mile of
road was very solitary, being much overshadowed with trees. One house
alone stood there, and that was about three-quarters of a mile before