"There is nothing settled." The old Earl looked puzzled, but Lady Mabel's craft had been successful.

If this objectionable young second-cousin had come there to talk about his marriage with another young woman, the conversation must have been innocent.

"Where is Miss Cassewary ?" asked the Earl.
"I asked her not to come down with me because Frank wished to speak to me about his own affairs.

You have no objection to his coming, papa ?" There had been objections raised to any intimacy with Frank Tregear; but all that was now nearly two years since.

He had been assured over and over again by Miss Cassewary that he need not be afraid of Frank Tregear, and had in a sort of way assented to the young man's visits.
"I think he might find something better to do with his time than hanging about here all day." Frank, shrugging his shoulders, and having shaken hands both with the daughter and father, took his hat and departed.