anything I envy anybody." In all this Ralph
believed that he was speaking the simple truth.

"I hope you'll be happy, with all my heart," said Gregory.

"I am sure I shall;--and so will you if you will ask that little puss
once again. I believe in my heart she loves you." Gregory, though he
had been informed of his brother's passion for Mary, had never been
told of that other passion for Clarissa; and Ralph could therefore
speak of ground for hope in that direction without uncomfortable
twinges.

There did occur during this fortnight one or two little matters,
just sufficiently laden with care to ruffle the rose-leaves of our
hero's couch. Lady Eardham thought that both the dining-room and
drawing-room should be re-furnished, that a bow-window should be
thrown out to the breakfast-parlour, and that a raised conservatory
should be constructed into which Augusta's own morning sitting-room
up-stairs might be made to open. Ralph gave way about the furniture
with a good grace, but he thought that the bow-window would disfigure
the house, and suggested that the raised conservatory would
cost money. Augusta thought the bow-window was the very thing
for the house, and Lady Eardham knew as a fact that a similar
conservatory,--the sweetest thing in the world,--which she had seen
at Lord Rosebud's had cost almost absolutely nothing. And if anything
was well-known in gardening it was this, that the erection of such
conservatories was a positive saving in garden expenses. The men
worked under cover during the rainy days, and the hot-water served
for domestic as well as horticultural purposes. There was some debate
and a little heat, and the matter was at last referred to Sir George.
He voted against Ralph on both points, and the orders were given.

Then there was the more important question of the settlements. Of
course there were to be settlements, in the arrangement of which
Ralph was to give everything and to get nothing. With high-handed
magnanimity he had declared that he wanted no money, and therefore
the trifle which would have been adjudged to be due to Gus was
retained to help her as yet less fortunate sisters. In truth
Marmaduke at this time was so expensive that Sir George was obliged
to be a little hard. Why, however, he should have demanded out of
such a property as that of Newton a jointure of L4,000 a year, with
a house to be found either in town or country as the widow might
desire, on behalf of a penniless gir