pause of profound deliberation, said solemnly, "George Talboys, I could
understand this if you had been eating heavy suppers. Cold pork, now,
especially if underdone, might produce this sort of thing. You want
change of air, my dear boy; you want the refreshing breezes of Figtree
Court, and the soothing air of Fleet street. Or, stay," he added,
suddenly, "I have it! You've been smoking our friend the landlord's
cigars; that accounts for everything."

They met Alicia Audley on her mare about half an hour after they had
come to the determination of leaving Essex early the next morning. The
young lady was very much surprised and disappointed at hearing her
cousin's determination, and for that very reason pretended to take the
matter with supreme indifference.

"You are very soon tired of Audley, Robert," she said, carelessly; "but
of course you have no friends here, except your relations at the Court;
while in London, no doubt, you have the most delightful society and--"

"I get good tobacco," murmured Robert, interrupting his cousin. "Audley
is the dearest old place, but when a man has to smoke dried cabbage
leaves, you know, Alicia--"

"Then you are really going to-morrow morning?"

"Positively--by the express train that leaves at 10.50."

"Then Lady Audley will lose an introduction to Mr. Talboys, and Mr.
Talboys will lose the chance of seeing the prettiest woman in Essex."

"Really--" stammered George.