Chapter VII: Part II (7)

"Make it three--'twere pity to balk the Graces of their
numbers; add the young lady who so lately left thee. The
forester's fair daughter deserves a niche as well as a duke's
daughter."

"The names I mention," said Lawleigh, "are Lady Alice
Lorrington, and Lady Mary Rosley."

Sir Stratford lifted his cap. "Fair ladies," he said, "I greet
you well; that I have sunned me in the bright blue eyes of one,
and the dark lustrous glances of the other, is true--yet, 'tis
but acting in love as people are justified in doing in other
things. When health begins to fail, physicians recommend a
change of climate--when admiration begins to decay, I always
adopt a different style of beauty; when the cold climate is too
severe, I fly to the sunny plains of Italy--when Lady Alice
frowns, I go to bask in the smiles of Lady Mary."

"And are a villain, a calumniator, and boaster in all--defend
thyself."

"As best I may," replied Sir Stratford, and drew his sword. It
was easy for him to parry the rapid thrusts of his enraged
adversary--and warily and slowly he was beginning the offensive
in his turn, when a sudden flash was seen, a loud report took
place, and the baronet was stretched upon the ground, weltering
in his blood. Rapid steps ere heard retreating in the direction
of the thicket in the park, and Lawleigh hurried to the paling,
and saw the form of a tall man, in a dark velvet coat,
disappear over the hedge."

["How good that is!" said Jack Stuart, as I came to the end of the chapter, and laid down the volume. "How good that is! Did you perceive where the joining took place?"

"No--I saw no joining."

"Why, you stupid fellow, didn't you see that the first part was from a novel of the present day, and the other from a story of the rebellion--who the deuce do you think talks of _thees_ and _thous_ except the Quaker?"

"I didn't notice it, I confess."

"Glad to hear it; nobody else will; and in the next chapter, which is the seventeenth of the second volume of this romance, you will see how closely the story fits. Recollect to change the names as I have marked them in pencil, and go on.]