ather let it remain.
But this is not all. The Marquis has promised that we
shall hear from him "in a spirit of kindness." I wonder
what this will come to? It certainly was not a spirit of
kindness that made him write to the bishop and call Frank
an infidel.

And this was the other letter.

Barracks, 1st September, 186--.

DEAREST LOVE,

I hope this will be one of the last letters I shall write
from this abominable place, for I am going to sell out at
once. It is all settled, and I'm to be a sort of deputy
Squire at Dunripple, under my uncle. As that is to be my
fate in life, I may as well begin it at once. But that's
not the whole of my fate, nor the best of it. You are to
be admitted as deputy Squiress,--or rather as Squiress
in chief, seeing that you will be mistress of the house.
Dearest Mary, may I hope that you won't object to the
promotion?

I have had a long letter from Mrs. Brownlow; and I ran
over yesterday and saw my uncle. I was so hurried that
I could not write from Dunripple. I would send you Mrs.
Brownlow's letter, only perhaps it would not be quite
fair. I dare say you will see it some day. She says ever
so much about you, and as complimentary as possible.
And then she declares her purpose to resign all rights,
honours, pains, privileges, and duties of mistress
of Dunripple into your hands as soon as you are Mrs.
Marrable. And this she repeated yesterday with some
stateliness, and a great deal of high-minded resignation.
But I don't mean to laugh at her, because I know she means
to do what is right.

My own, own, Mary, write me a line instantly to say that
it is right,--and to say also that you agree with me that
as it is to be done, 'twere well it were done quickly.

Yours always, with all my heart,

W. M.

It was of course necessary that Mary should consult with her aunt
before she answered the second letter. Of that which she received
from Mrs. Fenwick she determined to say nothing. Why should she ever
mention to her aunt again a name so painful to her as that of Mr.
Gilmore? The thinking of him could not be avoided. In this, the great
struggle of her life, she had endeavoured to do right, and yet she
could not acquit herself of evil. But the pain, though it existed,
might at least be kept out of sight.

"And so you are to go and live at Dunripple at once," said Miss
Marrabl