it," said Audley, his brow somewhat clearing. "I have no influence with
this lady; but, at least, I can counsel her. Do not consider the
marriage fixed because a young man desires it. Youth is ever hot and
rash."

"Your youth never was," retorted the squire, bluntly.

"You married well enough, I'm sure. I will say one thing for you: you
have been, to my taste, a bad politician--beg pardon--but you were always
a gentleman. You would never have disgraced your family and married a--"

"Hush!" interrupted Egerton, gently. "Do not make matters worse than
they are. Madame di Negra is of high birth in her own country; and if
scandal--"

"Scandal!" cried the squire, shrinking, and turning pale. "Are you
speaking of the wife of a Hazeldean? At least she shall never sit by the
hearth at which now sits his mother; and whatever I may do for Frank, her
children shall not succeed. No mongrel cross-breed shall kennel in
English Hazeldean. Much obliged to you, Audley, for your good feeling;
glad to have seen you; and hark ye, you startled me by that shake of your
head, when I spoke of your wealth; and from what you say about Randal's
prospects, I guess that you London gentlemen are not so thrifty as we
are. You shall let me speak. I say again, that I have some thousands
quite at your service. And though you are not a Hazeldean, still you are
my mother's son; and now that I am about to alter my will, I can as well
scratch in the name of Egerton as that of Leslie. Cheer up, cheer up:
you are younger than I am, and you have no child; so you will live longer
than I shall."