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80, but the young man seemed not grim by any means,
but dreamy. The fact was that the face of the young girl
who had called him ‘a savage yesterday, and whom he
had seen again in the gallery this evening, was haunting
im,
And—he wondered when and how he could see her
again,
Of course he knew, as well as did Mrs. Hale, that there
should be no acquaintanceship between Viscount Leyton
and the granddaughter of his uncle’s housekeeper, but. he
did not think of that, and, if he had, the reflection would
not have stifled the desire to find her out and get a few
more words from those sweet lips, one more smile or glance
from the lovely eyes.
So that, what with Lord Blair being Margaret-haunted, —
and the earl being possessed by the fact of his nephew’s
wickedness, the grand dinner was anything but hilarious.
They talked, now and again, but long before the dessert
appeared they had dropped into a mutual silence. Then
Mr. Stibbings carried in, daintily and carefully, a bottle of
the famous Leyton port, and, with the air of one bestow:
ing a farewell benediction, glided out and left the two gen-
tlemen alone. . . ; ;
“Do you drink port, Blair?” said the earl, with his hand
on the decanter. .
‘Yes, sir; I drink anything,’ replied the young man,
awaking with a little start. wus py ct
“You have a good digestion—good constitution? said
the earl.
‘Oh, yes,” assented Lord Blair, cheerfully; “ I suppose
80. Never had a day’s illness in my life that I can re-
member, and can eat anything.”
The earl looked at him musingly. ;
‘“And yet——” he paused, ‘‘ your habits are not regular;
you keep late hours?’’.
Lord Blair laughed.
‘I’m seldom in bed before ten,’’ he said. ‘“'Yes,”’ he ‘
added, “I’m afraid I don’t keep very good hours; it’s ©
generally daylight before I am in my little cot. What
Capital port, sir!’
‘Yes? I do not drink it,’ said the earl.
here was silence for a moment, during which the elder
man looked at the handsome face and graceful, stalwart
figure of the younger one. Lord Blair was one of those
men who look at their best in evening dress, and the earl .
could not help admiring him. Then\he sighed.
‘‘ Have you thought over the words that passe
Us this afternoon, Blair?’ he asked.
Well—I’m afraid I haven't,” he admitted, frankly.
d between
WILD MARGARET. At