ccepted the judgeship. You see, the salary is but small compared with
what I could make before. Within the next few months I have to find
huge sums of money; and--well, when you are Wilson's wife, it'll be
easy. But, for the life of me, I do not know another man who could
help me out of my troubles! There, Mary; I am sorry to have to make
such a confession, but it is best for you to know."

"Then I am to be sold!" said the girl. "Sold like a bale of cotton!"

"Don't put it in that way," said the father. "It's not fair. Besides,
consciously or unconsciously, you have doubtlessly encouraged Wilson.
You've repeatedly gone to the house, and you have known what gossips
have said."

"I have refrained from contradicting gossip for your sake," replied
Mary.

"Yes, I know. But you've always seemed pleased to see him, and as far
as I can judge, always found pleasure in his society. He's a good
fellow, too. I have made inquiries about him. He has a blameless
record, and I am sure would make you a good husband. As for
position--it is true he belongs to the manufacturing classes, but trade
is no longer regarded as it used to be. Why, how many men in Ned's
position have, during the last few years, obtained peerages! Among all
our circle of friends in London there is not one who could do for us
what Ned can do; and--Mary, as far as a father can promise for his
daughter, I promised for you. I knew you liked him, and Ned regards it
as settled."

"Have you fixed the date, too, and decided where the wedding's to take
place?" And there was a world of scorn in her voice.

"Come now, Mary. Don't be unreasonable!"

"Unreasonable!" cried the girl. "Surely I have my own life to live.
If I have been friendly with the Wilsons it has been at your request.
You know that, during the election, I begged of you to stay at an
hotel, instead of continually accepting their hospitality. But you
practically commanded it, and so I went with you. But when you promise
that I shall take a man like Wilson for my husband I think it's going
too far. I should loathe his presence. I should shrink from him every
time he came near me."

"But, Mary," said her father, evidently determined to keep his temper,
"surely this is strange. You knew his feelings towards you years ago,
and you never evinced any repugnance. You liked to spend hours upon
hours with him at the time of the election. You have been seen with
him a great deal. And wh