science."

"So you can. Publish your lessons. 'Twelve lectures on political
economy, by Cashel Byron.' I will help you to publish them, if you
wish."

"Bless your innocence!" said Cashel: "the sort of political economy
I teach can't be learned from a book."

"You have become an enigma again. But yours is not the creed of a
simpleton. You are playing with me--revealing your wisdom from
beneath a veil of infantile guilelessness. I have no more to say."

"May I be shot if I understand you! I never pretended to be
guileless. Come: is it because I raised a laugh against your cousin
that you're so spiteful?"

Lydia looked earnestly and doubtfully at him; and he instinctively
put his head back, as if it were in danger. "You do not understand,
then?" she said. "I will test the genuineness of your stupidity by
an appeal to your obedience."

"Stupidity! Go on."

"But will you obey me, if I lay a command upon you?"

"I will go through fire and water for you."

Lydia blushed faintly, and paused to wonder at the novel sensation
before she resumed. "You had better not apologize to my cousin: