f course she would. Such at least was Sir Thomas's opinion.
How was it possible that a girl like Mary, who had nothing of her
own, should fail to like a lover who had everything to recommend
him,--good looks, good character, good temper, and good fortune.
Patience did make some protest against this, for the sake of her sex.
She didn't think, she said, that Mary had ever thought of Mr. Newton
in that light. "There must be a beginning to such thoughts, of
course," said Sir Thomas. Patience explained that she had nothing
to say against Mr. Newton. It would all be very nice and proper, no
doubt,--only perhaps Mary might not care for Mr. Newton. "Psha!"
said Sir Thomas. Sir Thomas seemed to think that the one girl was
as much bound to fall in love as the other was to abstain from so
doing. Patience continued her protest,--but very mildly, because her
father's arm was in a sling. Then there arose the question whether
Mary should be told of the young man's letter. Patience thought that
the young man should be allowed to come and speak for himself. Sir
Thomas made no objection to the young man's coming. The young man
might come when he pleased. But Sir Thomas thought it would be well
that Mary should know what the young man had written. And so they
reached home.

To be glorified by one worshipping daughter had been pleasant to the
wounded hero, but to be glorified by two daughters and a niece was
almost wearisome. On the first evening nothing was said about the
love troubles or love prospects of the girls. Sir Thomas permitted to
himself the enjoyment of his glory, with some few signs of impatience
when the admiration became too strong. He told the whole story of
his election, lying back among his cushions on the sofa, although
Patience, with mild persistence, cautioned him against exertion.

"It is very bad that you should have your arm broken, papa," said
Clarissa.

"It is a bore, my dear."

"Of course it is,--a dreadful bore. But as it is doing so well, I am
so glad that you went down to Percycross. It is such a great thing
that you should be in the House again. It does give so much colour to
our lives here."

"I hope they were not colourless before."

"You know what I mean. It is so nice to feel that you are in
Parliament."

"It is quite on the cards that I may lose the seat by petition."

"They never can be so cruel," said Mary.

"Cruelty!" said Sir Thomas laughing. "In politics men skin each other
without the