rather your uncle had not mentioned it."

"It won't do any harm, mamma. I mean, that I shan't break my heart."

"I believe him to be a very excellent young man,--not at all like his
father, who has been as bad as he can be."

"Wasn't he in love with Mary Lowther last winter?"

"I don't know, my dear. I never believe stories of this kind. When I
hear that a young man is going to be married to a young lady, then I
believe that they are in love with each other."

"It is to be hoped so then, mamma?"

"But I never believe any thing before. And I think you may take it
for granted that there is nothing in that."

"It would be nothing to me, mamma."

"It might be something. But I will say nothing more about it. You've
so much good sense that I am quite sure you won't get into trouble. I
wish Sir Gregory had not spoken to you; but as he has, it may be as
well that you should know that the family arrangement would be very
agreeable to your uncle and to cousin Gregory. The title and the
property must go to Captain Marrable at last, and Sir Gregory would
make immediate sacrifices for you, which perhaps he would not make
for him."

Edith understood all about it very clearly, and would have understood
all about it with half the words. She would have little or no fortune
of her own, and in money her uncle would have very little to give to
her. Indeed, there was no reason why he should give her anything. She
was not connected with any of the Marrables by blood, though chance
had caused her to live at Dunripple almost all her life. She had
become half a Marrable already, and it might be very well that she
should become a Marrable altogether. Walter was a remarkably handsome
man, would be a baronet, and would have an estate, and might,
perhaps, have the enjoyment of the estate by marrying her earlier
than he would were he to marry any one else. Edith Brownlow
understood it all with sufficient clearness. But then she understood
also that young women shouldn't give away their hearts before they
are asked for them; and she was quite sure that Walter Marrable had
made no sign of asking for hers. Nevertheless, within her own bosom
she did become a little anxious about Mary Lowther, and she wished
that she knew that story.

On the fourth of August Walter Marrable reached Dunripple, and found
the house given up almost entirely to the doctor. Both his uncle and
his cousin were very ill. When he was able to obtain from the doctor
i