Fortune's My Foe

had passed Purbrook, and was nearing Fanshawe, which hamlet lay, as all the world knew, or ought to have known, between the former place and Portsdown Hill, w

uide is understandable enough, the child born seventeen years ago off Cartagena, in the ship after whi

the Beau, who was the only occupant beside the coachman, made ready to descend. A very gallant beau he looked, too, as, throwing off his long light drugget cloak--assumed to fend the dust from his bravery underneath--he displayed hi

fine and brave-seeming as this spark whom he had brought from London could be no other than a l

sitively, as yet. For to-night, at least, at the inn. There

shaws, which they say are now the mode. But if good beef and mutton, a pullet, or---- Bil

e time. A small valise was handed out from the boot, the customary fee of half-a-crown was distributed to guard and coachman, the landlady nodded to (she staring somewhat amazed at Bufton's finery all the time, and more particularly at his chin, which, she

d a strangely worn and seamed face, such as those who have led an existence much exposed to the

honour. Miss Ariadne's

you would speak with m

honour. Will your ho

ad once been distinguished, the rumbullion, or its substitutes in England, usquebaugh and gin, having done their work. Time also had made her grey, and in som

somewhat impatiently--eagerly--as he stepped

ng an eye, and that a somewhat watery one, on him, "in very tru

y therefore rely

here. Oh! sir, you will be good

d?" Then he said, "Will she consent, think you

eye, "while, as for the marriage--well! young, tender thou

at Mrs. Pottle stared at him, wondering in her own mind if he were trying to pull

pent bullet in an attack made by the Ariadne and Kingston on five Spanish galleys, the shot coming through the scuttle of a cabin in whic

, good woman, and tell her I shall be there. I must make a mea

hesitation, of modesty, which sat strangely on her rough face

ike. Damme! I know there was a promise of five hundred guineas. But--when we

Oh! no. Not now. But a lit

nd recognising that here was a cormorant w

trifle. Ten guineas will not

knowledge of human nature, whereon he so congratulated himself, did not assist him in fathoming, he said, "Well

instant, "a real gentleman. Now, sir, I go. To-night," she

ly the moment she was outside the door of the room and had closed it on him; while her face as

Curse you. May joy go with you," and sh

word knot, and once, as the Beau came to a portion of the avenue where it was almost dark, so thickly did the trees interlace overhead, he told himself he had done wisely to bring it. Ariadne might have other admirers--country clowns, 'tis true, yet fellows, who, nevertheless, were capable of feeling pangs of jealousy at the sight of so aristocratic a wooer as he. And--and--he thought they might attack him with clubs, or even with plebeian fists--when--wel

riding-hood. And a moment later Beau Bufton had taken her hand and was impressing kisses on it, and muttering phrases

n to receive her admirer. Ah, madam, if you but knew how my thoug

an. Ah, sir, you should

and chaste Diana--may I not gaze once more in rapture on those lovely orb

, a pair of bright eyes which glistened in the evening dusk. She had too a fresh red-and-white complexion, the whole being a very satisfactory proof of th

ss, "once more I tremble at the sight of those charms which won my heart at Tunbridge. Ariadne, you know by

fie! Not yet--not for year

r love? And, Ariadne, dearest one, now

ardians, the lawyers

t one, and allied to some of the most distinguis

go to London two weeks hence. Yet--yet--I fear," and she gazed up into his face with a look of al

eyes met his, they

e I seen such orbs as yours before? Or was

y from this old country home of mine; and at Tunbridge was the first time

ost precious treasure. Dearest, may I not put u

l love m

s and

ly into his, and told him

in Lambeth. You will not, Algernon, desire a great wedding? Let it be private; wi

d done more to bring this about in accord with his jackal's, with Lewis Granger's machinations, than any one else; the woman who was to have five hundred guine

name he reflected that here was another who would have to be hoodwinked out of the guerdon he had stipulated for--hoodwinked out of five thousand

eloved. Oh! do not deceive me, do not take advantage

"A girl," he added to himself, "who has a hundred tho

week from Sunday next, and that then she would be all his, and, meanwhile, would write often. They parted, she going up the avenue towards where the