Harry made his way to join his friend Ferdinand, and furnished him with the latest London news not likely to appear in the papers.  Laxley was distant and unamused.  From the fact, too, that Harry was known to be the Countess’s slave, his presence produced the same effect in the different circles about the grounds, as did that of John Raikes.  Harry began to yawn and wish very ardently for his sweet lady.  She, however, had too fine an instinct to descend.

An hour before dinner, Juliana sent him a message that she desired to see him.

‘Jove!  I hope that girl’s not going to be blowing hot again,’ sighed the conqueror.

He had nothing to fear from Juliana.  The moment they were alone she asked him, ‘Have you heard of it?’

Harry shook his head and shrugged.

’They haven’t told you?  Rose has engaged herself to Mr. Harrington, a tradesman, a tailor!’

‘Pooh! have you got hold of that story?’ said Harry.  ’But I’m sorry for old Ferdy.  He was fond of Rosey.  Here’s another bother!’

‘You don’t believe me, Harry?’

Harry was mentally debating whether, in this new posture of affairs, his friend Ferdinand would press his claim for certain moneys lent.

‘Oh, I believe you,’ he said.  ’Harrington has the knack with you women.  Why, you made eyes at him.  It was a toss-up between you and Rosey once.’

Juliana let this accusation pass.

’He is a tradesman.  He has a shop in Lymport, I tell you, Harry, and his name on it.  And he came here on purpose to catch Rose.  And now he has caught her, he tells her.  And his mother is now at one of the village inns, waiting to see him.  Go to Mr. George Uplift; he knows the family.  Yes, the Countess has turned your head, of course; but she has schemed, and schemed, and told such stories—­God forgive her!’

The girl had to veil her eyes in a spasm of angry weeping.

‘Oh, come!  Juley!’ murmured her killing cousin.  Harry boasted an extraordinary weakness at the sight of feminine tears.  ’I say!  Juley! you know if you begin crying I’m done for, and it isn’t fair.’

He dropped his arm on her waist to console her, and generously declared to her that he always had been, very fond of her.  These scenes were not foreign to the youth.  Her fits of crying, from which she would burst in a frenzy of contempt at him, had made Harry say stronger things; and the assurances of profound affection uttered in a most languid voice will sting the hearts of women.

Harry still went on with his declarations, heating them rapidly, so as to bring on himself the usual outburst and check.  She was longer in coming to it this time, and he had a horrid fear, that instead of dismissing him fiercely, and so annulling his words, the strange little person was going to be soft and hold him to them.  There were her tears, however, which she could not stop.

’Well, then, Juley, look.  I do, upon my honour, yes—­there, don’t cry any more—­I do love you.’