, if you would form an estimate of the Countess's heroic impudence,
that a rumour was current in Lymport that the fair and well-developed Louisa
Harrington, in her sixteenth year, did advisedly, and with the intention of
rendering the term indefinite, entrust her guileless person to Mr. George
Uploft's honourable charge. The rumour, unflavoured by absolute malignity, was
such; and it went on to say, that the sublime Mel, alive to the honour of his
family, followed the fugitives with a pistol, and with a horsewhip, that he
might chastise the offender according to the degree of his offence. It was
certain that he had not used the pistol: it was said that he had used the whip.
The details of the interview between Mel and Mr. George were numerous, but at
the same time various. Some declared that he put a pistol to Mr. George's ear,
and under pressure of that persuader got him into the presence of a clergyman,
when he turned sulky; and when the pistol was again produced, the ceremony would
have been performed, had not the outraged Church cried out for help. Some vowed
that Mr. George had referred all questions implying a difference between himself
and Mel to their mutual fists for decision. At any rate, Mr. George turned up in
Fallowfield subsequently; the fair Louisa, unhurt and with a quiet mind, in
Lymport; and this amount of truth the rumours can be reduced to - that Louisa
and Mr. George had been acquainted. Rumour and gossip know how to build: they
always have some solid foundation, however small.
    Upwards of twelve years had run since Louisa went to the wife of the brewer
- a period quite long enough for Mr. George to forget any one in; and she was
altogether a different creature; and, as it was true that Mr. George was a dull
one, she was, after the test she had put him to, justified in hoping that Mel's
progeny might pass unchallenged anywhere out of Lymport. So, with Mr. George
facing her at table, the Countess sat down, determined to eat and be happy.
    A man with the education and tastes of a young country squire is not likely
to know much of the character of women; and of the marvellous power they have of
throwing a veil of oblivion between themselves and what they don't want to
remember, few men know much. Mr. George had thought, when he saw Mrs. Strike
leaning to Evan, and heard she was a Harrington, that she was rather
