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"And so you know nothing of this gentleman beyond what he has told

you of his character and antecedents?"

Aunt Rachel had knocked at the door of her nephew's study after

dinner, on the day of his return, and asked for an interview

"Although I know youbeen away froly, yet accepting the invitation to enter

Mr Aylett's eye left hers as he replied that he was quite at

liberty to listen to whatever she had to say, but his manner was

entirely his own--polished and cool

Fa

passions and violent tee days, he had

never, as far as living mortal could testify, lifted the ier, surprise, or alarm He ran

all his tilts--and he was not a non-combatant by anyin stature; his features

were syh-bred His conversation was

sensible, but never brilliant or animated In his own household he

was calmly despotic; in his county, respected and unpopular--one of

whom nobody dared speak ill, yet whole person who believed herself to be an exception to

this rule This was his sister Mabel Some said she worshipped him