" I comprehend," he said, " from the coldness with which the
Lady Eveline Berenger receives me, that what she has heard of me
from my kinsman (if indeed he thought me worthy of being men-
tioned to her at all), has been, to say the least, unfavourable. And
yet my name once stood as high in fields and courts, as that of the
Constable ; nor is it aught more disgraceful than what is indeed
often esteemed the worst of disgraces — poverty, which prevents my
still aspiring to places of honour and fame. If my youthful follies
have been numerous, I have paid for them by the loss of my fortune,
and the degradation of my condition ; and therein my happy kins-
man might, if he pleased, do me some aid — I mean not with his
purse or estate ; for, poor as I am, I would not live on alms extorted
from the reluctant hand of an estranged friend ; but his counte-
nance would put him to no cost, and, in so far, I might expect some
favour."

"In that my Lord Constable," said Eveline, "must judge for
himself. I have — as yet, at least — no right to interfere in his family
affairs ; and if I should ever have such right, it will well become
me to be cautious how I use it."

" It is prudently answered," replied Randal ; "but what I ask of
you is merely, that you, in your gentleness, would please to convey
to my cousin a suit, which I find it hard to bring my ruder tongue
to utter with sufficient submission. The usurers, whose claims
have eaten like a canker into my means, now menace me with a
dungeon ; a threat which they dared not mutter, far less attempt



ISO THE BETROTHED.
