She was not prepared to think very kindly of young men who had been successful in their college career, since poor Maulevrier had made such a dismal failure of his, had been gated and sent down, and ploughed, and had everything ignominious done to him that could be done, which ignominy had involved an expenditure of money that Lady Maulevrier bemoaned and lamented until this day.  Because her brother had not been virtuous, Mary grudged virtuous young men their triumphs and their honours.  Great, raw-boned fellows, who have taken their degrees at Scotch Universities, come to Oxford and Cambridge and sweep the board, Maulevrier had told her, when his own failures demanded explanation.  Perhaps this Mr. Hammond had graduated north of the Tweed, and had come southward to rob the native.  Mary was not any more inclined to be civil to him because he was a linguist.  He had a pleasant manner, frank and easy, a good voice, a cheery laugh.  But she had not yet made up her mind that he was a gentleman.

’If some benevolent old person were to take a fancy to Charles Ford, the wrestler, and send him to a Scotch University, I daresay he would turn out just as fine a fellow,’ she thought, Ford being somewhat of a favourite as a local hero.

The two young men went off to the billiard-room after they had dined.  It was half-past ten by this time, and, of course, Mary did not go with them.  She bade her brother good-night at the dining-room door.

‘Good-night, Molly; be sure you are up early to show me the dogs,’ said Maulevrier, after an affectionate kiss.

‘Good-night, Lady Mary,’ said Mr. Hammond, holding out his hand, albeit she had no idea of shaking hands with him.

She allowed her hand to rest for an instant in that strong, friendly grasp.  She had not risen to giving a couple of fingers to a person whom she considered her inferior; but she was inclined to snub Mr. Hammond as rather a presuming young man.

‘Well, Jack, what do you think of my beauty sister?’ asked his lordship, as he chose his cue from the well-filled rack.

The lamps were lighted, the table uncovered and ready, Carambole in his place, albeit it was months since any player had entered the room.  Everything which concerned Maulevrier’s comfort or pleasure was done as if by magic at Fellside; and Mary was the household fairy whose influence secured this happy state of things.

’What can any man think except that she is as lovely as the finest of Reynold’s portraits, as that Lady Diana Beauclerk of Colonel Aldridge’s, or the Kitty Fisher, or any example you please to name of womanly loveliness?’

‘Glad to hear it,’ answered Maulevrier, chalking his cue; ’can’t say I admire her myself—­not my style, don’t you know.  Too much of my lady Di—­too little of poor Kitty.  But still, of course, it always pleases a fellow to know that his people are admired; and I know that my grandmother has views, grand views,’ smiling down at his cue.  ’Shall I break?’ and he began with the usual miss in baulk.