So

Nugent? Make my compliments to Mrs. Nugent, will you? -There's Mr. Nugent, my esteemed friend and tenant. that all's quite straight and comfortable."

So saying, his lordship began to look for his hat, in preparation for retiring from the scene.

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Stop, my lord; I am extremely sorry, but the thing's more complicated than your lordship supposes. You see, we shall want a jury. A jury, Mr. Kingcup-is it not so?"

"In every such case direct by inquiry and presentment of a jury,'-hum-hum-' appear at the Court of Sewers, sworn in open court,'-hum-hum," replied the clerk, reading from the Act of Parliament in his hand.

"Here, show the Act to his lordship," added the chairman. And just hand me Woolrych on Sewers, will you ?"

"And the jury's presentment may be traversed-may be traversed," continued the clerk, with eyes gleaming as the plot began to thicken. "Here's the Act, my lord; the page

is turned down."

"Oh-thank you! you may as well keep it at that end of the table. Then there must be a jury? Well, summon one!" replied his lordship.

"But you must set the thing going, my lord: you must apply for a jury," interposed the chairman.

"And guarantee expenses," murmured the clerk.

"And your lordship must get a majority of three-fourths of all the occupiers in any way affected by the proposed improvements," the chairman went on. "Three-fourths in value, not in numbers. So says the Act, Mr. Kingcupdon't it?"

"Just so, sir-just so."

"Well-but suppose I am unsuccessful-all the preliminary expense falls on me?" interpolated Lord Swampshire.

"Oh! of course-unquestionably!"

Upon which Lord Swampshire put on his hat and made for the door, but was again stopped by the chairman, who, by dint of poring over the Act, came to the conclusion that the court, though it could not execute entirely new works, might improve old works without the consent of three-fourths of the occupiers, provided a jury made a presentment that the improvements would be beneficial.

But as the smell of dinner now began to ooze into the room, it was moved and seconded that the meeting be ad

journed for a month, to give time for inquiry and consi

deration.

The end of it was that the Marquis of Swampshire consented to put the matter in motion, provided Nugent would carry the matter through on his own risk for one thousand pounds, engaging to pay any further sums required out of his own pocket.

The work then commenced, and before many weeks elapsed had made considerable progress. The old riyer was deepened and widened, the stones and clay carted away, the bridges, where necessary, underpinned and strengthened. The most important part of the operation-namely, the enlarging the outfall of the river at the sea-wall, and providing wider flood-gates-was, however, only partially completed. Therefore, as the spring-tides were coming on, great care was required to shore up and support the new masonry in which the flood-gates were fixed, lest the pressure of the sea should break it down. The slightest warping of the work would infallibly result in a total smash. The sea would burst in, and not merely cause much mischief to the farmers by poisoning the ditches and watering-places for cattle with salt-water, but flood the low lands, and inflict damage that could not be remedied for years.

CHAPTER XVII.

SIR REGINALD CLINTON.

Now it was at this critical time that Gertrude one afternoon drove her pony carriage to Beaumont House for the purpose of having some conversation with her mother, partly on the subject of certain new patterns of silks just sent down from London, partly upon matters that were secretly vexing her mind and making her anxious and low.

The silks having been duly examined, poised in the hand, held up to the light, stretched out on various articles of furniture, and finally folded up and laid aside, Gertrude sidled up to Lady Maud on the sofa, and said—

"Mamma dear, I wish to have a few more words on the old subject

I hope you now see

"Well, darling child, by all means. the force of what I urged the other day."

"I have been thinking it over and over, mamma, till I get You say that I take Oliver's absence too quietly, and don't make enough fuss about it?"

quite puzzled.

Certainly, darling! How can you suppose a man will ever realize the depth of a wife's affection unless she not merely feels but shows distress, vexation-yes, even indig nation at his abandoning her society for that of others? Mind," added Lady Maud, emphatically, "I am always supposing he loves his wife. If there is any coldness or languor, another course must be pursued. He must be stimulated by a little frigid neglect or indifference. But in Nugent's case it is not want of affection

Oh, no!" said Gertrude, for one second glancing at her pretty face in the opposite mirror. "I don't doubt his attachment to me. I think he loves me. Really I do!"

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'Exactly so, dear ! But he allows everyday business to absorb too much of his time, and he's a little thoughtless; or rather, I should say, phlegmatic-phlegmatic," repeated Lady Maud-" that is the word."

66 And you think I should try to rouse him, dear mamma?" "Unquestionably! For if you take his little forgetfulnesses quietly, how is he to know he's to blame? How is he to know you take to heart his frequent separations from you?"

Gertrude sat for a few minutes in silent thought.

"You see, dear mamma," she then began, "I have not your winning, soft ways. It is quite the old story of the poor donkey trying to imitate the pet dog. If I show unusual empressement I shall be so clumsy and awkward.”

"Try, dearest-try! For instance, here is Sir Reginald staying with us on a visit. He is paying attention to your sister, Agatha, and ought to be encouraged."

"Agatha!" exclaimed Gertrude. "I thought Mr. Lovell—” "And ought to be encouraged," repeated Lady Maud, with a little alteration in her voice, and the faint quiver of light from her eyes which generally betokened displeasure. "And ought to be encouraged. Now at luncheon to-day, I shall propose a picnic at the Clairs' for next week, and beg you to be one, and to bring Nugent with you."

"But suppose he positively refuses?

Why, then, you foolish little thing, you must be angry→

1

downright angry," answered her mother, playfully patting `her daughter's cheek with a papier mâché paper-knife.

"Oh! but that makes Oliver so sad for a week afterwards -not cross, but sad."

Well, then, be a little angry, dear-show yourself to be in earnest; that is all I mean. You are too insouciante with him. He requires to be startled, provoked, thoroughly stirred up. But there's the gong for luncheon, and we must join the others."

Now, motherly advice is a very excellent thing before marriage, and indeed after marriage, too, if great caution and delicacy be observed in imparting it. But the best things can be overdone, and Gertrude had had more than enough of Lady Maud's instruction in the petty difficulties of life before she gave her hand to Nugent.

Naturally warm-hearted and affectionate, with an active and intelligent mind, Gertrude was disposed to place confidence in those about her, and to act with openness and decision, but her mother's training had to some extent affected her character. She would sometimes take refuge in manœuvring and finessing when a serious difficulty crossed her path.

On the present occasion, the remedy for her husband's real or imaginary negligence did not prove entirely successful.

Gertrude followed Lady Maud's advice pretty correctly. She first tried to inveigle Nugent to ride with her by soft, gentle little petitions, whispered into his ear as they sat on the sofa sipping their coffee after dinner. But Nugent replied very decidedly, although with a strong expression of regret, that it was out of the question. He must ride to the outfall of the river to see the new works and look after the men, for the juncture was critical. Gertrude, who could not understand why the bailiff would not do as well, tried another mode of address, which may be termed the "tenderly-reproachful line." And this not answering any better, she passed into the "tearfully-morbid mood." From which the transition was easy into the " affectionately-indignant attitude." Finally, she really worked herself into a state of mind her mother would have highly approved. With flashing eyes and crimson cheeks she sprang from the sofa, and, standing erect before him, said with much emphasis

66

Very well! This is the first favour I have asked of you since our marriage, and it shall be the last. I wish you good

night, sir!" and immediately hurried out of the room, leaving Nugent half stupefied with astonishment and entirely miserable.

Ought he to yield to her? No, as a matter of duty he ought not. It was very unreasonable-it was selfish of her to insist on his leaving an important matter admitting of no delay, for the sake of a foolish riding expedition, which might take place at any time. He would talk the thing over with her quietly to-morrow, and convince her that he was in the right. After luncheon, then, on the following day, Nugent affectionately put his arm round his wife's waist, and leading her out into the lawn, sat down with her under the huge fir-tree in front of her boudoir, and began kindly but earnestly to point out to her the unreasonableness of her conduct the night before. He had not, however, gone further than to explain that it was really a matter of duty he should personally visit the outfall at a certain time that day, and had only made a very faint impression on Gertrude, vexed as she was both with him and herself, when the iron gate in front of the house was heard to swing on its hinges, followed by the sound of horses' hoofs on the gravel drive.

"There they are !" exclaimed Gertrude, rising, and hurrying away to dress, when Nugent, reconnoitring through the trees, exclaimed

66

Why, I see only Sir Reginald and a groom! Where are the rest of the party? Surely you are not going to ride alone?"

Gertrude said she would go round to the front door and inquire. After a moment's absence she returned, exclaiming, "Oh! Agatha's horse has cut his foot, and can't be ridden. very tiresome."

It is

66 I suppose, then, you will not go ?" said Nugent.

"Go! Why not?" asked Gertrude, opening her blue eyes rather widely. "The Clairs expect us at three o'clock, and mamma will be there in the carriage. I promised to be there."

"But, darling," continued Nugent, "I particularly wish you should not ride alone with Clinton. I have my reasons." The colour mounted to Gertrude's cheeks. What did he possibly mean?

I do not approve of your rushing into a sudden friendship with Clinton," Nugent hurriedly added. "I like my cousin ; he has many fine qualities, but he is a Roman Catholic. In a