n
and stop the supplies for a month or so. Then he'll double them, and
take your wife to his bosom, and kiss and bless her, and all that
kind of thing. We all know what parental wrath means in such cases as
that."

"But my sister--"

"As for your sister, don't talk to me about her. I don't care two
straws about your sister. You must excuse me, Major Grantly, but Lady
Hartletop is really too big for my powers of vision."

"And Edith,--of course, Mrs. Thorne, I can't be blind to the fact that
in many ways such a marriage would be injurious to her. No man wishes
to be connected with a convicted thief."

"No, Major Grantly; but a man does wish to marry the girl that he
loves. At least, I suppose so. And what man ever was able to give a
more touching proof of his affection than you can do now? If I were
you, I'd be at Allington before twelve o'clock to-morrow,--I would
indeed. What does it matter about the trumpery cheque? Everybody
knows it was a mistake, if he did take it. And surely you would not
punish her for that?"

"No,--no; but I don't suppose she'd think it a punishment."

"You go and ask her then. And I'll tell you what. If she hasn't
a house of her own to be married from, she shall be married from
Chaldicotes. We'll have such a breakfast! And I'll make as much
of her as if she were the daughter of my old friend, the bishop
himself,--I will indeed."

This was Mrs. Thorne's advice. Before it was completed, Major Grantly
had been carried half-way to Chaldicotes. When he left his impetuous
friend he was too prudent to make any promise, but he declared that
what she had said should have much weight with him.

"You won't mention it to anybody," said the Major.

"Certainly not, without your leave," said Mrs. Thorne. "Don't you know
that I'm the soul of honour?"

CHAPTER XV

Up in London

[Illustration]

Some kind and attentive reader may perhaps remember that Miss
Grace Crawley, in a letter written by her to her friend Miss Lily
Dale, said a word or two of a certain John. "If it can only be as
John wishes it!" And the same reader, if there be one so kind and
attentive, may also remember that Miss Lily Dale had declared,
in reply, that "about that other subject she would rather say
nothing,"--and then she added, "When one thinks of going beyond
friendship,--even if one tries to do so,--there are so many
barriers!" From which words the kind and attentive reader, if such
reader be in such matters