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256 enough to think, because a man was handsome, he ought not to be hanged; so they took advantage of a dark night, and a smuggler's boat, and are gone to France and the devil together! Don't faint; at least, not here!" added he abruptly, to Ethel, whose fading blush left her paler than before: "your lover is not more inconstant than all men are: but I see how it is; women are all alike, they would rather have a lover hanged, than that another should save him from the gallows!" A quick temper feeds on its own indulgence, and Sir Robert had talked himself into being angry; however, Lady Marchmont took advantage of the pause to say, "Mr. Trevanion has nothing to do with our visit; it is on Mrs. Churchill's account that we have ventured to address you. We have heard that she is to be imprisoned: it is for her sake that we implore your compassion!" "My grandmother," exclaimed Ethel eagerly, "pines for her own home: I am sure a prison will kill her. Consider, sir, she is an old woman, she will not trouble you long!"