eemed to Mrs. Dale, the man had come to do the noble
thing. At any rate he was there in her drawing-room, and before
either of them had sat down he had contrived to mention Grace. "You
may not probably have heard my name," he said, "but I am acquainted
with your friend, Miss Crawley."

"I know your name very well, Major Grantly. My brother-in-law who
lives over yonder, Mr. Dale, knows your father very well,--or he did
some years ago. And I have heard him say that he remembers you."

"I recollect. He used to be staying at Ullathorne. But that is a long
time ago. Is he at home now?"

"Mr. Dale is almost always at home. He very rarely goes away, and I am
sure would be glad to see you."

Then there was a little pause in the conversation. They had managed
to seat themselves, and Mrs. Dale had said enough to put her visitor
fairly at his ease. If he had anything special to say to her, he must
say it,--any request or proposition to make as to Grace Crawley, he
must make it. And he did make it at once. "My object in coming to
Allington," he said, "was to see Miss Crawley."

"She and my daughter have taken a long walk to call on a friend, and
I am afraid they will stay for lunch; but they will certainly be home
between three and four, if that is not too long for you to remain at
Allington."

"Oh, dear, no," said he. "It will not hurt me to wait."

"It certainly will not hurt me, Major Grantly. Perhaps you will lunch
with me?"

"I'll tell you what, Mrs. Dale; if you'll permit me, I'll explain
to you why I have come here. Indeed, I have intended to do so all
through, and I can only ask you to keep my secret, if after all it
should require to be kept."

"I will certainly keep any secret that you may ask me to keep," said
Mrs. Dale, taking off her bonnet.

"I hope there may be no need of one," said Major Grantly. "The truth
is, Mrs. Dale, that I have known Miss Crawley for some time,--nearly
for two years now, and--I may as well speak it out at once,--I have
made up my mind to ask her to be my wife. That is why I am here."
Considering the nature of the statement, which must have been
embarrassing, I think that it was made with fluency and simplicity.

"Of course, Major Grantly, you know that I have no authority with our
young friend," said Mrs. Dale. "I mean that she is not connected with
us by family ties. She has a father and mother, living, as I believe,
in the same county with yourself."

"I know that, Mrs. Dale.