Father Stafford

ne and hi

Sir Roderick was bound to exalt the claims of birth, inasmuch as he had to rely solely upon them for a reputation, and discounted the value of his opinion accordingly. After all, it was not as if the late Mr. Lane had ended life in the undesirable shelter in question. On the contrary, his latter days had been spent in the handsome mansion of Millstead Manor; and, as he lay on his deathbed, li

house had insisted on remaining picturesque in spite of Mr. Lane's improvements, and by virtue of an indelible stamp of antiquity had carried its point. A house that dates from Elizabeth is not to be entirely put to shame by one or two unblushing French windows and other trifling barbarities of that description, more especially when it is kept in countenance by a little church of still greater age, nestling un

ove middle height, rather slight, and with the little stoop that tells of the man who is town-bred and by nature more given to indoor than outdoor exercises; but he was a good-looking fellow for all that, with a bright humorous face,-though at this m

Miss Jane Chambers, had ceased the pretense of reading; the Rector was enjoying what he kept assuring himself was only just five minutes' peace before he crossed over to his parsonage and his sermon; Lady Claudia Territon and Miss Katharine Bernard were each in possession of a wicker lounge, while

seemed to strike him. He stopped delibe

e sight of Bob Territon reminded me." Then as

I am sorry to interrupt

courage to leave the calm of her father's country vicarage to follow the doubtful fortun

acid life will be interrupted, and one of Mr. Eugene Lane, M.P.'s, celeb

ng?" asked

Eugene had been lucky enough to secure. Had Eugene not been absurdly rich himself, he might have been

in Lady Claudia, before Eugene

polite. He inquired by telegram (reply not paid) who were to be here. When I wired him, telling him whom I had the privilege of entertaining, an

s the young man with the beer, seemed put out at th

e some bee

ss Kate. "Really, Eugene, you mi

in public. It's not good

ver arrived at, "if you wish your guests to have either dinne

ber five, composed as follows: F

ing man," observ

ccompanied by his wife. That makes two; and then old Merton, who was

Radical, isn't he?" aske

carriage to take you to the station? I think, yo

ved herself to be a pillar. Identity of political views, in Mr. Haddington's opinion, might well pave the way to a closer union, and this

ert Territon, "it so

rritons," remarked Eug

y told us four," said Kate,

ment, as though preparing a sensat

ed up quickly and re-echoed the name of the last guest

ou pick him up?"

th that high. We were at Harrow and at Oxford together. Ri

leman called 'Fa

nd really, Mr. Territon, you're very ignorant. Every

He's an Anglican Father, isn't he? Had a b

knocked up, poor old chap, and had to get leave of absence; and I've mad

g off again on Mond

a book or something, that will

. "Don't you dote on him, Kate? P

ene, "Stafford has tak

said Lady Claud

t Lady Claudia was quite unmoved, and, turning to the Recto

ather Stafford

in meeting him. I've heard so muc

ia, "and his penances

"It's quite enough for him that a

hy, Master Eugene!

Doc

this vow?"

ng vow of celibacy in the Anglica

, Doctor?" sai

id the Rector, "I don't kno

ersisted Aunt Jane. "His Bishop ca

swered Eugene. "

ays he

the Bi

n, of cour

Not that he wants to be released. He doesn't care a bit a

nes. "Admiration for a saint is not madness. Shall we

chuckled Bob Territon

igh, and accompanied the elder ladies to the house, whither they were going to meet the

on the grass, "I may as well mention that Stafford doesn't d

uliar begga

tle dryly; "he particularly objects to any remark being mad

o any remarks on what I eat and drink"

. Haddington, I know, will study him as a p

als of medi?valism were interesting, if morbid; an

isn't he?" asked Bob of his host, ind

said Eugene. "He's

f I do,"

er birds' nest

s a trifle mixed, old f

r was the father of one himself, a

ed Bob helplessly. "Why can't you sa

eans an ass. He's a very clever fello

and play b

gravely. "I'm going t

es she make

. Eugene cast a large cushion dexterously at him and caught him just in

marry that girl?" excla

ccomplishments considerable. From her childhood she had been considered clever, and had vindicated her reputation by gaining more than one certificate from the various examining bodies which nowadays go up and down seeking whom they may devour. All these varied excellences Eugene had had full opportunities of appreciating, for Kate was a distant cousin of his on the mother's side, and had spent a large part of the last few years at the Manor. It was, in fact

little scene which occurred on the terrace, whither the girls had betaken themselves, and Eugene in his turn repai

Eugene. "I'm not going to read

ut she was a mischievous body, and the sight of a cloud on Kate's brow

stay, do you? Wouldn't you tw

have you," Eu

se with

she said. "I have letters to

do that! I came out on

audience for you," was the chilling repl

said Eugene. "You really ou

your fault." And Claudia tried to ma

, and then the

going to read?"

ennyson. Kate likes it, bec

elf that you see t

iled comp

I'm not engaged to you, Mr. Lane, i

uth, shut it again,

am

You need not

to you, I mightn'

e visible on Claudia

d away towar

quite pale peopl

you want,

character. I want many thin

er the mournful gaze which accompanied those

u to stay sever

to stay." s

!" exclai

u know

forbids me

od-by, Mr. Lane. I'll leave you to your priv

aud

speration. "It's very wicked and very impertinent-

with a horrified look, and C