e.

"I suppose we shall.

"Ah, well! It's all right, I'm sure. Of course there is not a word to
be said against it. I hope Sir Gregory won't die before the Colonel.
That's all."

"The Colonel is his father, you know."

"I hope there may not come to be trouble about it, that's all. I
shall be very lonely, but of course I had to expect that."

"You'll come to us, Aunt Sarah? You'll be as much there as here."

"Thank you, dear. I don't quite know about that. Sir Gregory is all
very well; but one does like one's own house."

From all which Mary understood that her dear aunt still wished that
she might have had her own way in disposing of her niece's hand,--as
her dear friends at Bullhampton had wished to have theirs.

The following were the answers from Mary to the two letters given
above;--

Loring, 3rd September, 186--.

DEAR JANET,

I am very, very, very sorry. I do not know what more I can
say. I meant to do well all through. When I first told Mr.
Gilmore that it could not be as he wished it, I was right.
When I made up my mind that it must be so at last, I was
right also. I fear I cannot say so much of myself as to
that middle step which I took, thinking it was best to do
as I was bidden. I meant to be right, but of course I was
wrong, and I am very, very sorry. Nevertheless, I am much
obliged to you for writing to me. Of course I cannot but
desire to know what he does. If he writes and seems to be
happy on his travels, pray tell me.

I have much to tell you of my own happiness,--though, in
truth, I feel a remorse at being happy when I have caused
so much unhappiness. Walter is to sell out and to live
at Dunripple, and I also am to live there when we are
married. I suppose it will not be long now. I am writing
to him to-day, though I do not yet know what I shall say
to him. Sir Gregory has assented, and arrangements are to
be made, and lawyers are to be consulted, and we are to be
what Walter calls deputy Squire and Squiress at Dunripple.
Mrs. Brownlow and Edith Brownlow are still to live there,
but I am to have the honour of ordering the dinner, and
looking wise at the housekeeper. Of course I shall feel
very strange at going into such a house. To you I may
say how much nicer it would be to go to some place that
Walter and I could have to ourselves,--as you did when you
married. But I am not such a simpleton as