"You are quite right. Yes, leave town! Why not go abroad? You have
never been abroad. New scenes will distract your mind. Run over to
Paris."

"Not to Paris--I don't want gayeties; but I did intend to go abroad
somewhere,--any dull dismal hole of a place. Good-by! Don't think of me
any more for the present."

"But let me know where you go; and meanwhile I will see the squire."

"Say as little of me as you can to him. I know you mean most kindly, but
oh, how I wish there never had been any third person between me and my
father! There: you may well snatch away your hand. What an ungrateful
wretch to you I am. I do believe I am the wickedest fellow. What! you
shake hands with me still! My dear Randal, you have the best heart--God
bless you!" Frank turned away, and disappeared within his dressing-room.

"They must be reconciled now, sooner or later,--squire and son," said
Randal to himself, as he left the lodgings. "I don't see how I can
prevent that,--the marchesa being withdrawn,--unless Frank does it for
me. But it is well he should be abroad,--something maybe made out of
that; meanwhile I may yet do all that I could reasonably hope to do,--
even if Frank had married Beatrice,--since he was not to be disinherited.
Get the squire to advance the money for the Thornhill purchase, complete
the affair; this marriage with Violante will help; Levy must know that;
secure the borough;--well thought of. I will go to Avenel's. By-the-by,
by-the-by, the squire might as well keep me still in the entail after
Frank, supposing Frank die childless. This love affair may keep him long
from marrying. His hand was very hot,--a hectic colour; those strong-
looking fellows often go off in rapid decline, especially if anything