necessary, to attend his Boards. Lord Lynfield was cursed with several
extravagant sons, with whom John Blake, who was a good shot, soon
became friendly. Also he made himself useful by lending one of them a
considerable sum of money. When this came to Lord Lynfield's ears, as
Honest John was careful that it should, he was disturbed and offered
repayment, though as a matter of fact he did not know where to turn
for the cash. In his bluffest and heartiest way Blake refused to hear
of such a thing.

"No, no, my Lord, let it stand. Your son will repay me one day, and if
he doesn't, what will a trifle like that matter?"

"He certainly shall repay you. But all the same, Mr. Blake, you have
behaved very well and I thank you much," replied his Lordship
courteously.

Thus did John Blake become an intimate of that aristocratic family.

Now Lord Lynfield, who was a widower, had one unmarried daughter. She
was an odd and timid little person, with strong religious views, who
adored secretly a high-church curate in London. This, indeed, was the
reason why she had been brought to Essex when her infatuation was
discovered by one of her married sisters, who, like the rest of the
family, was extremely "low." Lady Jane was small in body and shrinking
and delicate in character, somewhat mouselike indeed. Even her eyes
were large and timid as are those of a mouse. In her John Blake
perceived the exact /parti/ whom he desired for a wife.

It is not necessary to follow the pitiful story to its inevitable end,
one, happily, more common at that time than it is to-day. Mr. Blake