other quadrupeds strutted about the lawn so tame as to eat
off the sun-dial. In fact, the place was a regular menagerie.

From the house downwards through the park stretched a
beautiful broad avenue laid out by Henry VII.

Lord Nosh stood upon the hearthrug of the library.
Trained diplomat and statesman as he was, his stern
aristocratic face was upside down with fury.

"Boy," he said, "you shall marry this girl or I disinherit
you. You are no son of mine."

Young Lord Ronald, erect before him, flung back a glance
as defiant as his own.

"I defy you," he said. "Henceforth you are no father of
mine. I will get another. I will marry none but a woman
I can love. This girl that we have never seen----"

"Fool," said the Earl, "would you throw aside our estate
and name of a thousand years? The girl, I am told, is
beautiful; her aunt is willing; they are French; pah! they
understand such things in France."

"But your reason----"

"I give no reason," said the Earl. "Listen, Ronald, I
give one month. For that time you remain here. If at the
end of it you refuse me, I cut you off with a shilling."