‘I hope not,’ said Evan.

’You do hope that you will not officiate?  Oh, Evan the eternal contemplation of gentlemen’s legs! think of that!  Think of yourself sculptured in that attitude!’ Innumerable little prickles and stings shot over Evan’s skin.

‘There—­there, Louisa!’ he said, impatiently; ’spare your ridicule.  We go to London to-morrow, and when there I expect to hear that I have an appointment, and that this engagement is over.’  He rose and walked up and down the room.

‘I shall not be prepared to go to-morrow,’ remarked the Countess, drawing her figure up stiffly.

‘Oh! well, if you can stay, Andrew will take charge of you, I dare say.’

‘No, my dear, Andrew will not—­a nonentity cannot—­you must.’

‘Impossible, Louisa,’ said Evan, as one who imagines he is uttering a thing of little consequence.  ‘I promised Rose.’

’You promised Rose that you would abdicate and retire?  Sweet, loving girl!’

Evan made no answer.

‘You will stay with me, Evan.’

‘I really can’t,’ he said in his previous careless tone.

‘Come and sit down,’ cried the Countess, imperiously.

’The first trifle is refused.  It does not astonish me.  I will honour you now by talking seriously to you.  I have treated you hitherto as a child.  Or, no—­’ she stopped her mouth; ’it is enough if I tell you, dear, that poor Mrs. Bonner is dying, and that she desires my attendance on her to refresh her spirit with readings on the Prophecies, and Scriptural converse.  No other soul in the house can so soothe her.’

‘Then, stay,’ said Evan.

‘Unprotected in the midst of enemies!  Truly!’

’I think, Louisa, if you can call Lady Jocelyn an enemy, you must read the Scriptures by a false light.’

‘The woman is an utter heathen!’ interjected the Countess.  ’An infidel can be no friend.  She is therefore the reverse.  Her opinions embitter her mother’s last days.  But now you will consent to remain with me, dear Van!’

An implacable negative responded to the urgent appeal of her eyes.

‘By the way,’ he said, for a diversion, ’did you know of a girl stopping at an inn in Fallow field?’

‘Know a barmaid?’ the Countess’s eyes and mouth were wide at the question.

‘Did you send Raikes for her to-day?’

’Did Mr. Raikes—­ah, Evan! that creature reminds me, you have no sense of contrast.  For a Brazilian ape—­he resembles, if he is not truly one—­what contrast is he to an English gentleman!  His proximity and acquaintance—­rich as he may be—­disfigure you.  Study contrast!’

Evan had to remind her that she had not answered him:  whereat she exclaimed:  ’One would really think you had never been abroad.  Have you not evaded me, rather?’

The Countess commenced fanning her languid brows, and then pursued:  ’Now, my dear brother, I may conclude that you will acquiesce in my moderate wishes.  You remain.  My venerable friend cannot last three days.  She is on the brink of a better world!  I will confide to you that it is of the utmost importance we should be here, on the spot, until the sad termination!  That is what I summoned you for.  You are now at liberty.  Ta-ta, as soon as you please.’