"I think the five minutes are up, Miss Rea," said Trevor, rising.

"Perhaps you will take my arm, and we can stroll back as if nothing had happened. I will see Sir Hampton in the morning."

Aunt Matty bowed, and then, wearing the aspect of some jointless phenomenon, she stalked by his side back into the drawing-room, where, in spite of the efforts of Lady Rea and Vanleigh, nothing could disperse the gloom that had fallen; and the party broke up with the departure of the gentlemen, who walked home on account of the beauty of the night-- Vanleigh talking incessantly, and Trevor quiet, but striving hard to conceal his triumph.

"I'll ease him as much as possible," Trevor had said to himself, apropos of Vanleigh.

"Poor brute! he little thinks how he's shelved," said Vanleigh to Landells.

"Little girl's pos'tively b'witching," said Landells.

"Who, Miss Rea?"

"Jove! No--sister. Sharp and bright as lit' needle."

"Just suit you, there, Flick."

"Ya-as."

"It came to a climax, then, d.i.c.k, eh?" said Pratt.

"Franky, old boy, I'm the happiest dog under the sun."

These fragments of conversation took place at odd times that night; and the next morning, soon after breakfast, Trevor made an excuse to his friends, and started for Tolcarne.

"Gone to get his conge, Flick," said Vanleigh.

"Poor Trevor! Sorry. Not bad 'fler," said Sir Felix.

"Bah! every man for himself. But we shall have to clear out after this.

We'll go and stay at Saint Francis, and when the old boy finds we are there, he'll ask us up to Tolcarne."

"But seems so shabby to poor Trevor," said Sir Felix.

"Pooh, nonsense! Every man has his crosses in this way. Let's get out somewhere, though, so as not to be at hand when the poor beggar comes back; he'll be in a towering fury. I hope he won't make an a.s.s of himself, and force a quarrel on me."

Volume 2, Chapter XV.

SPEAKING TO PAPA.

Meanwhile Trevor was on his way to Tolcarne, where he was shown into the library. He felt flushed and excited, but he had come with the confidence of a conqueror; and, besides, he could feel that he was no ineligible parti for the young lady.

"Poor Franky, I know he's bitten by that little fairy," he said, as he waited impatiently--the "directly" of Edward, who had announced that Sir Hampton was in the garden and would come, having extended to ten minutes.

"Hang the formality of these things!" said Trevor. "I could talk to that dear little woman, Lady Rea, by the hour without feeling uncomfortable; but as to pater--well, there; it's only once in a man's life. Here he is."

The door leading into a farther pa.s.sage opened this moment, and Trevor rose; but instead of encountering fierce Sir Hampton, in skipped pet.i.te Fin, to run up to him flushed and excited, but with her eyes sparkling with pleasure.

She placed both her little hands in his, and her words came in hurried jerks, as she exclaimed--

"Tiny told me all about it--last night--Oh, I'm so glad!"

"That's right, little fairy," laughed Trevor, smiling down on the pleasant little _face_.

"But there's been such a rumpus, and I came to tell you before pa came."

"Indeed," said Trevor, retaining the little hands, though there was no effort made to remove them.

"Yes, pa's been raging and bullying poor Tiny so. Those friends of yours came and proposed for us, and papa said they might come, and he is horribly cross about it. But you won't give way?"

"Do I look as if I would?" said Trevor.

"No; and I am glad, because I think you do like Tiny."

"Like?"

"Well, love her, then. Ma likes you, too."

"And little Fin?"

"There's little Fin's answer," said the girl, with tears in her eyes, and she held up her face and kissed him with quiet gravity. "Oh, let me go," she cried, and she struggled from his arms and fled, leaving him to turn round and face Sir Hampton and Aunt Matty, who had entered by the other door.

"What does this mean, sir?" exclaimed Sir Hampton, furiously. "Er-rum!

I am astounded!"

"Merely, Sir Hampton, that your daughter was willing to accord to me the licence that she would to a brother."

Aunt Matty was heard to mutter something about vulgar a.s.surance, and Trevor flushed as Sir Hampton motioned him to a chair, took one, and crossed his legs; but he was determined not to be angry, and he went on--

"Our meetings, so far, Sir Hampton, have been unfortunate, and I have come over this morning to try and set myself at one with you. I presume I am to speak before Miss Rea?"

"My sister is in my confidence, and is my adviser," said Sir Hampton, in the tone he had prepared for the magisterial bench.

"Then, Sir Hampton, speaking as a frank, blunt sailor, I humbly ask your pardon for any lapses of politeness wherein I have been guilty, and also beg of you to forgive me for my conduct last night."

"A perfect outrage--barbarous," said Aunt Matty.

"Er-rum!--Matilda, let the young man speak," said Sir Hampton, magisterially.

"It was, I am aware, very foolish of me, but I was carried away by my feelings. Sir Hampton Rea, I love your daughter, Valentina."

"Absurd!" exclaimed Miss Matilda, who remained standing.

"I ventured to tell her so last night, in explaining away a little misapprehension that had existed between us."

"I never heard such a.s.surance!" said Miss Matilda.