you--'

'May I presume to ask when you ceased to regard me as a gentleman,
mistress Dorothy?'

'As soon as I found that you had learned to despise law and
religion,' answered the girl. 'Such a one will hardly succeed in
acting the part of a gentleman, even had he the blood of the
Somersets in his veins.'

'I thank you, mistress Dorothy,' said the stranger, 'and will profit
by the plain hint. Once more tell me to go, and I will obey.'

'He must go first,' returned Dorothy.

Richard had been standing as if stunned, but now with an effort
recovered himself.

'I will wait for you,' he said, and turned away.

'For whom, sir?' asked Dorothy, indignantly.

'You have refused me the gentleman's name,' answered Richard:
'perhaps I may have the good fortune to persuade himself to be more
obliging.'

'I shall not keep you waiting long,' said the young man
significantly, as Richard walked away.

To do Richard justice, and greatly he needs it, I must make the