“‘Ah! Bramlett, you will lose your labor there, for Demar has been commander of that fair castle so long that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.’
“‘Yes, but Harry Wallingford shall not marry my fair cousin, unless he gives his beauteous sister to me.’
“As the dinner progressed, the flow of wit increased until every guest began to participate in it. Politics and religion—finance and agriculture—science and art—music and history, were all largely discussed.
“‘Come,’ said Harry as he laid his hand on my arm, ‘let us go out on the corridor and smoke a cigar.’
“I took his arm and we began to pace up and down the floor. The weather was quite warm, and not a breath of air could be felt.
“‘Come, let us go into the garden; I could not control myself if I remained here. Let us sit under these vines, on this little bench—I feel the oppressive heat more than usual.’
“We had not been there more than twenty minutes when Quillet and Bullger came walking slowly toward us. The night was not a very dark one, though there was no moon, but the stars appeared to shine unusually bright. We were completely hidden by the overhanging vines, and as we preferred to be alone, we remained silent, hoping that the two lawyers would pass on; but they went into the summer-house, which was not more than twenty feet from where we sat. They were conversing in very low tones, but we could hear every word they said. I started to rise from my seat, as I was unwilling to play the part of an eavesdropper; but Harry caught my sleeve and pulled me back to the seat, and in a whisper requested me to be still and listen.
“‘What do you think of Miss Bramlett now, Bullger?’ inquired Quillet.
“‘The more I see of her the better I like her; but it is no use for a fellow to fall in love with her, for they say she is going to marry Harry Wallingford.’
“‘Yes, and I must confess that I am astonished to hear it.’