found himself would be soon closed against him, when there came a rap at his door, and before he could answer the Honourable John entered the room.
'Well, old fellow,' said the Honourable John, 'how are you?'
Crosbie had been intimate with John de Courcy, but never felt for him either friendship or liking. Crosbie did not like such men as John de Courcy; but nevertheless, they called each other old fellow, poked each other's ribs, and were very intimate.
'Heard you were here,' continued the Honourable John; 'so I thought I would come up and look after you. Going to be married, ain't you?'
'Not that I know of,' said Crosbie.
'Come, we know better than that. The women have been talking about it for the last three days. I had her name quite pat yesterday, but I've forgot it now. Hasn't got a tanner; has she?' And the Honourable John had now seated himself upon the table.
'You seem to know a great deal more about it than I do.'
'It is that old woman from Guestwick who told us, then. The women will be at you at once, you'll find. If there's nothing in it, it's what I call a d–––– shame. Why should they always pull a fellow to pieces in that way? They were going to marry me the other day!'
'Were they indeed, though?'
'To Harriet Twistleton. You know Harriet Twistleton? An uncommon fine girl, you know. But I wasn't going to be caught like that. I'm very fond of Harriet,—in my way, you know; but they don't catch an old bird like me with chaff.'
'I condole with Miss Twistleton for what she has lost.'
'I don't know about condoling. But upon my word that getting married is a very slow thing. Have you seen George's wife?'
Crosbie declared that he had not as yet had that pleasure.
'She's here now, you know. I wouldn't have taken her, not if she'd had ten times thirty thousand pounds. By Jove, no. But he likes it well enough. Would you believe it now?—he cares for nothing on earth except money. You never saw such a fellow. But I'll tell you what, his nose will be out of joint yet, for Porlock is going to marry. I heard it from Colepepper, who almost lives with Porlock. As soon as Porlock heard that she was in the family way he immediately made up his mind to cut him out.'
'That was a great sign of brotherly love,' said Crosbie.
'I knew he'd do it,' said John; 'and so I told George before he got himself spliced. But he would go on. If he'd remained as he was for four or five years longer there would have been no danger;—for Porlock, you know, is leading the deuce of a life. I shouldn't wonder if he didn't reform now, and take to singing psalms or something of that sort.'
'There's no knowing what a man may come to in this world.'
'By George, no. But I'll tell you what, they'll find no change in me. If I marry it will not be with the intention of giving up life. I say, old fellow, have you got a cigar here?'
'What, to smoke up here, do you mean?'
'Yes; why not? we're ever so far from the women.'
'Not whilst I am occupier of this room. Besides, it's time to dress for dinner.'
'Is it? So it is, by George! But I mean to have a smoke first, I can tell you. So it's all a lie about your being engaged; eh?'
'As far as I know, it is,' said Crosbie. And then his friend left him.
What was he to do at once, now, this very day, as to his engagement? He had felt sure that the report of it would be carried to Courcy by Lady Julia De Guest, but he had not settled down upon any resolution as to what he would do in consequence. It had not occurred to him that he would immediately be charged with the offence, and called upon to plead guilty or not guilty. He had never for a moment meditated any plea of not guilty, but he was aware of an aversion on his part to declare himself as engaged to Lilian Dale. It seemed that by doing so he would cut himself off at once from all pleasure at such houses as Courcy Castle; and, as he argued to himself, why should he not enjoy the little remnant of his bachelor life? As to his denying his engagement to John de Courcy,—that was nothing. Any one would understand that he would be justified in concealing a fact concerning himself from such a one as he. The denial repeated from John's mouth would amount to nothing,—even among John's own sisters. But now it was necessary that Crosbie should make up his mind as to what he would say when questioned by the ladies of the house. If he were to deny the fact to them the denial would be very serious. And, indeed, was it possible that he should make such denial with Lady
