oppose these, but who never lose an opportunity of insulting his religion,
and would deprive him, if possible, of the advantages of the very
institutions which his family assisted in establishing?'

'Why, indeed? I am glad to have made his acquaintance,' said Coningsby.
'Is he clever?'

'I think so,' said Lord Henry. 'He is the most shy fellow, especially
among women, that I ever knew, but he is very popular in the county. He
does an amazing deal of good, and is one of the best riders we have. My
father says, the very best; bold, but so very certain.'

'He is older than we are?'

'My senior by a year: he is just of age.'

'Oh, ah! twenty-one. A year younger than Gaston de Foix when he won
Ravenna, and four years younger than John of Austria when he won Lepanto,'
observed Coningsby, musingly. 'I vote we go to bed, old fellow!'




CHAPTER IV.


In a valley, not far from the margin of a beautiful river, raised on a
lofty and artificial terrace at the base of a range of wooded heights, was
a pile of modern building in the finest style of Christian architecture.
It was of great extent and richly decorated. Built of a white and