Page:The Semi-attached Couple.djvu/156

 "Well then, go without me."

"That is a thousand times worse. No, the whole thing is a mess, and past cure, and the only resource is for me to take myself off."

"Oh! but that is so hard upon me," said Helen, with tears in her eyes. "You must stay, darling"; and she stooped down and kissed his forehead.

At this moment Lord Teviot entered, but, seeing how eagerly they were conversing, drew back. "Oh, come in, Teviot, pray come in!"

"I will come back presently, if you are engaged."

"No, I am not engaged, but Beaufort will insist on going away to-day; and I cannot possibly let him. Beaufort, may I tell Lord Teviot the whole story?"

"Certainly, my dear, if you like to repeat such a foolish business."

"If it is a family secret my curiosity is not ungovernable; I had no idea you were closeted together for a mysterious story, or I would not have interrupted you."

"But it is no secret," said Helen; and she told him all that had passed, which threw him into such fits of laughter that Beaufort began to think the matter was not so serious as he had supposed.

"Then you advise him to stay?" said Helen.

"In his place I should go, but"

"There, Helen, you hear what Teviot says."

"You did not let me finish my sentence," said Lord Teviot. "I was going to add that you cannot possibly go to-day, because you promised to dine with the Mayor of N to-morrow, and your going away would be an affront to him and to G. and to me, etc., etc."

"Yes, that is clear," said Helen. "Long live the Mayor of N! and now, Beaufort, I will tell you how it shall all be. Mary and I will go out riding with Ernest only, and you shall join us accidentally, and make