she was going to be married to himself.  I recovered at once, and immediately went out to hunt the otters, and rare sport we had.  But here comes Gregory with the famous old Rhenish.  Better take a cup, Dick; this is the best cure for the heartache, and for all other aches and grievances.  Ah! glorious stuff—­miraculous wine!” he added, smacking his lips with extraordinary satisfaction after a deep draught; “those worthy fathers were excellent judges.  I have a great reverence for them.  But where can Alizon be all this while?  Supper is wellnigh over, and the dancing and pastimes will commence anon, and yet she comes not.”

“She is here,” cried Richard.

And as he spoke Mistress Nutter and Alizon entered the hall.

Richard endeavoured to read in the young girl’s countenance some intimation of what had passed between her and Mistress Nutter, but he only remarked that she was paler than before, and had traces of anxiety about her.  Mistress Nutter also looked gloomy and thoughtful, and there was nothing in the manner or deportment of either to lead to the conclusion, that a discovery of relationship between them had taken place.  As Alizon moved on, her eyes met those of Richard—­but the look was intercepted by Mistress Nutter, who instantly called off her daughter’s attention to herself; and, while the young man hesitated to join them, his sister came quickly up to him, and drew him away in another direction.  Left to himself, Nicholas tossed off another cup of the miraculous Rhenish, which improved in flavour as he discussed it, and then, placing a chair opposite the portrait of Isole de Heton, filled a bumper, and, uttering the name of the fair votaress, drained it to her.  This time he was quite certain he received a significant glance in return, and no one being near to contradict him, he went on indulging the idea of an amorous understanding between himself and the picture, till he had finished the bottle, and obtained as many ogles as he swallowed draughts of wine, upon which he arose and staggered off in search of Dame Tetlow.

Meanwhile, Mistress Nutter having made her excuses to Lady Assheton for not attending the supper, walked down the hall with her daughter, until such time as the dancing and pastimes should commence.  As will be readily supposed under the circumstances, this part of the entertainment was distasteful to both of them; but it could not be avoided without entering into explanations, which Mistress Nutter was unwilling to make, and she, therefore, counselled her daughter to act in all respects as if she were still Alizon Device, and in no way connected with her.

“I shall take an early opportunity of announcing my intention to adopt you,” she said, “and then you can act differently.  Meantime, keep near me as much as you can.  Say little to Dorothy or Richard Assheton, and prepare to retire early; for this noisy and riotous assemblage is not much to my taste, and I care not how soon I quit it.”