love me like that;--a young man who has so much in
the world to occupy him? He has his ship, and his hounds, and his
friends, and his great wealth. It is only girls, I think, who love
like that."

"He must bear his sorrow as others do."

"But it shall be made as light as I can make it,--shall it not? I
should have done this before. I should have done it sooner. Had he
been made to go away at once, then he would not have suffered. Why
would he not go when I told him? Why would he not believe me when
I spoke to him? I should have heard all his words and never have
answered him even with a smile. I should not have trembled when he
told me that I was there, at his hearth, as a friend. But who thought
then, Mrs. Roden, that this young nobleman would have really cared
for the Quaker girl?"

"I saw it, Marion."

"Could you see just by looking at him that he was so different from
others? Are his truth, and his loving heart, and his high honour, and
his pure honesty, all written in his eyes,--to you as they are to
me? But, Mrs. Roden, there shall be an end of it! Though it may kill
me,--though it may for a little time half-break his heart,--it shall
be done! Oh, that his dear heart should be half-broken for me! I will
think of it, Mrs. Roden, to-night. If writing may do it, perhaps
I may write. Or, perhaps, I may say a word that he will at least
understand. If not you shall tell him. But, Mrs. Roden, it shall be
done!"

CHAPTER V.

MARION WILL CERTAINLY HAVE HER WAY.

On the day but one following there came a letter to Marion from
Hampstead,--the love-letter which he had promised her;--

DEAR MARION--

It is as I supposed. This affair about Roden has stirred
them up down at Trafford amazingly. My father wants me to
go to him. You know all about my sister. I suppose she
will have her way now. I think the girls always do have
their way. She will be left alone, and I have told her to
go and see you as soon as I have gone. You should tell her
that she ought to make him call himself by his father's
proper name.

In my case, dearest, it is not the girl that is to have
her own way. It's the young man that is to do just as he
pleases. My girl, my own one, my love, my treasure, think
of it all, and ask yourself whether it is in your heart to
refuse to bid me be happy. Were it not for all that you
have said yourself I should not be vain enough to be happy
at this m