MISS SELIXA OFFERS TO BE VEIIXOn's SECOND. 39 



G'antain Markham, the nature of which will transpire in the 

 following colloquy. 



" What makes you look so clemmed pleasant to-night — claret 

 sour, or what — with that vinegar countenance 1 " 



" That old aunt's enough to put any man out of temper," 

 replied "Vernon ; " and that fellow, Beauchamp, thinking they 

 are going to have it all their own way with the heiress." 



" Eh ! 'pon honour — what d'ye mean ? " 



"I have been watching Beauchamp very intently since lie 

 joined her on the sofa, and her looks, when he ventured on 

 some soft speech, betrayed the' nature of it ; in fact, I believe 

 he is making up to her." 



" Well, why shouldn't he 1 She is fair game to any man to 

 try for without poaching on your ground. Demmifc, Vernon, 

 you seem to think no fellow has a right to speak to her but 

 yourself. Eh, 7 pon iny soul, that's a good joke ! — and, if that's 

 your humour, jusfc give me leave to observe, my fine fellow, that 

 Keel Markham considers he has quite as good a chance for the 

 heiress as Dick Vernon." 



" Oh ! certainly, a much better one," replied Vernon, with 

 a sneer. " Heir to a baronetcy — life guardsman — fine figure 

 — lots of small talk, and all that sort of thing ; but I hate Will 

 Beauchamp, and intend to pick a quarrel with him, to get him 

 out of my way. Will you be my second 1 " 



a No, Richard Vernon, I will not ; that's plain enough, I 

 suppose." With which the Captain walked away. 



A voice from behind whispered in his ear, " Don't despair, 

 Dick ; I will supply Edward's place ; " and turning round, he 

 confronted Miss Markham. 



" You my second, Selina % " 



" And why not 1 Put on Ned's dress, pair of false mous- 

 taches, and all that sort of thing — just do, 'pon honour — mascu- 

 line enough, eh 1 " 



" Decidedly the latter," remarked Vernon, with a sneer ; 

 " but I fear you would load my pistol with powder only." 



" Oh, no, Dick ! — but in place of ball I should load with dice. 

 No fear then of missing your victim. You are a deadly hand 

 with them, Richard Vernon." 



" Your remarks are so eccentric and ambiguous sometimes," 

 replied Vernon, " that it would puzzle a philosopher to interpret 

 them." 



" Indeed, Mr. Richard Vernon, your usual sharp wit is at 

 fault, eh ? Then I will leave you to guess my meaning, with 



