power, he was a prince; but of how queer a kind!  He was immensely gratified by my refraining to look out for my father on our return journey through London, and remarked, that I had not seen him for some time, he supposed.  To which I said, no, I had not, He advised me to let the fellow run his length.  Suggesting that he held it likely I contributed to ‘the fellow’s’ support:  he said generously, ’Keep clear of him, Hal:  I add you a thousand a year to your allowance,’ and damned me for being so thoughtful over it.  I found myself shuddering at a breath of anger from him.  Could he not with a word dash my hopes for ever?  The warning I had taken from old Sewis transformed me to something like a hypocrite, and I dare say I gave the squire to understand, that I had not seen my father for a very long period and knew nothing of his recent doings.

‘Been infernally quiet these last two or three years,’ the squire muttered of the object of his aversion.  ’I heard of a City widow last, sick as a Dover packet-boat ’bout the fellow!  Well, the women are ninnies, but you’re a man, Harry; you’re not to be taken in any longer, eh?’

I replied that I knew my father better now, and was asked how the deuce I knew him better; it was the world I knew better after my stay on the Continent.

I contained myself enough to say, ‘Very well, the world, sir.’

‘Flirted with one of their princesses?’ He winked.

‘On that subject I will talk to you some other time,’ said I.

‘Got to pay an indemnity? or what?’ He professed alarm, and pushed for explanations, with the air of a man of business ready to help me if need were.  ’Make a clean breast of it, Harry.  You ’re not the son of Tom Fool the Bastard for nothing, I’ll swear.  All the same you’re Beltham; you’re my grandson and heir, and I’ll stand by you.  Out with ’t!  She’s a princess, is she?’

The necessity for correcting his impressions taught me to think the moment favourable.  I said, ‘I am engaged to her, sir.’

He returned promptly:  ‘Then you’ll break it off.’

I shook my head.

‘Why, you can’t jilt my girl at home!’ said he.

‘Do you find a princess objectionable, sir?’

’Objectionable?  She’s a foreigner.  I don’t know her.  I never saw her.  Here’s my Janet I’ve brought up for you, under my own eyes, out of the way of every damned soft-sawderer, safe and plump as a melon under a glass, and you fight shy of her, and go and engage yourself to a foreigner I don’t know and never saw!  By George, Harry, I’ll call in a parson to settle you soon as ever we sight Riversley.  I’ll couple you, by George, I will! ’fore either of you know whether you’re on your legs or your backs.’

We were in the streets of London, so he was obliged to moderate his vehemence.

‘Have you consulted Janet?’ said I.

‘Consulted her? ever since she was a chick with half a feather on.’