this
marriage shall have taken place, the great object of my life will be
gained--the great struggle will be over, and I can relax and fall back
into a life of comfort, enjoyment, and freedom from anxiety and care.
But, then, is there no risk of sacrificing my daughter's happiness
forever? I certainly would not do that. I know, however, what influence
the possession of rank, position, title, will have on her, when she
comes to know their value by seeing--ay, and by feeling, how they are
appreciated. There is not a husband-hunting dowager in the world of
fashion, nor a female projector or manoeuvrer in aristocratic life,
who will not enable her to understand and enjoy her good fortune. Every
sagacious cast for a title will be to her a homily on content. But,
above all, she will be able to see and despise their jealousy, to laugh
at their envy, and to exercise at their expense that superiority of
intellect and elevation of rank which she will possess; for this
I will teach her to do. Yes, I am satisfied. All will then go on
smoothly, and I shall trouble myself no more about creeds or covenants,
whether secular or spiritual."

He then went to dress and shave after this complacent resolution,
but was still a good deal surprised to find that his hand shook so
disagreeably, and that his powerful system was in a state of such
general and unaccountable agitation.

After he had dressed, and was about to go down stairs, Thomas Corbet
came to ask a favor, as he said.

"Well, Corbet," replied his master, "what is it?"

"My father, sir," proceeded the other, "wishes to know if you would have
any objection to his being present at Miss Gourlay's marriage, and
if you would also allow him to bring a few friends, who, he says, are
anxious to see the bride."

"No objection, Corbet--none in the world; and least of all to your
father. I have found your family faithful and attached to my interests
for many a long year, and it would be too bad to refuse him such a
paltry request as that. Tell him to bring his friends too, and they may
be present at the ceremony, if they wish. It was never my intention that
my daughter's marriage should be a private one, nor would it now, were
it not for her state of health. Let your father's friends and yours
come, then, Corbet, and see that you entertain them properly."

Corbet then thanked him, and was about to go, when the other said,
"Corbet!" after which he paused for some time.

"Sir!" said Co