do to let it go in the male line to Mark
and his Willy.'

'I see! I see!' said Mr. Dutton eagerly. 'It would be an infinite
relief if it could be carried out.'

'I believe my father would like it,' said Nuttie. 'He cares for the
name; and now no one prevents it; he is fond of Mark, and still more of
Annaple! And you! Oh, Mr. Dutton, if he will only take it in the
right way, I think you will make me able to do what it grieved dear
mother never to have brought about for my poor father.'

'My whole self is yours to aid you,' he said. 'You know of course that
I could not ask you to detach yourself from one to whom you are so
necessary. If he will permit us, we will watch over him together as
doing her work.'

'Thank you,' was all Nuttie's lips could utter, though her hand said
much more.

And before they reached London they had arranged something of a plan of
action for propitiating Mr. Egremont, and bringing the future prospects
to be available so as to save Annaple from being worked to death in the
meantime.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

ANNAPLE'S AMBITION FALLEN.

'Well, how did you get on, Annaple?'

'Oh! very well, poor old man, on the whole, though it made one pity him
doubly that he chose to make as if he forgot everything, and you were
all gone on a picnic, taking me out for a long drive in the
afternoon--where we were least likely to meet any one--that I will say
for him.'

'Forgetting is not the best for him.'

'As if he could forget! But he was very nice and friendly, and put on
his best, most courteous self. I think he looks on me rather as a
protector from the solemn Mr. Edsall.'

'Surely Edsall treats him well. He was excellently recommended. You
know I saw his master's daughter.'

'Oh! only _too_ well. He takes the management of him as if he were
three years old, or a lunatic. He simply _will_ not be offended any
more than if he had to do with a baby.'

'What should offend him?'

'That Mr. Egremont greatly resents being allowed nothing but by what
Edsall calls medical sanction. He is too blind, you know, to venture
to pour out anything for himself, and besides, Edsall has all the drugs
under lock and key, and is coolness itself about any amount of
objurgations, such as I fancy go on sometimes.'

'Do you think he will stand it?'

'Who? Your uncle? Yes, I think he will. This man really makes him
more comfortable than poor Gregorio did.'

'Yes; Nuttie said she was sure that